• AUSTRALIA $2.00 • BELGIUM BF60 • CANADA $2.00 • FRANCE FF1 0 • ICELAND Kr150 • NEW ZEALAND $2.50 • SWEDEN Kr12 • UK £1.00 • U.S. $1.50 INSIDE 'Militant' subscription goal within reach- 414 to go! THE -PAGES A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 61 NO. 37 OCTOBER 27, 1997 Cuban party Equal rights for congress strengthens all immigrants! socialist N.Y., L.A. actions condemn anti-immigrant laws course of BY FRANCISCO PICADO revolution NEW YORK- "We are here and we are not leaving," chanted hundreds of people in BY MARTIN KOPPEL Spanish, marching through Manhattan in de­ AND MARY-ALICE WATERS fense of immigrant rights October 12. The HAVANA- "We are open to all options more than l,200 demonstrators included and all experiences- all except surrender­ contingents from cities such as Los Ange­ ing, except giving up socialism, except re­ les; Chicago; and Lawrence, Massachusetts. nouncing the gains of the revolution and the It was one of several regional actions held power held by the people, except allowing that day across the United States. others to be the masters of our country." Among the marchers were workers and Affirmation of this fundamental political young people born in Mexico, Bangladesh, course was at the center of Cuban president Poland, Haiti, Morocco, Korea, Puerto Rico, Fidel Castro's opening report to the Fifth the United States, and many other countries. Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, "We are here demanding amnesty for held here October 8-l 0. Bangladesh ... and all immigrants," said It was confirmed by the almost I ,500 Mafizur Rahman, pointing to the contingent delegates attending the gathering and was of some 150 Bangladeshis. Rahman is a part­ voiced repeatedly both in the congress dis­ time construction worker and cab driver in cussion and on the street by working people Queens. General amnesty for all immigrants who followed the deliberations on televi­ was a central demand of the action. sion and radio, which broadcast many hours ''I'm here to make it clear that we're go­ Continued on Page 10 ing to put a halt to the racism against immi­ grants," said Jose Antonio Padilla, a mem­ Militant/Hilda Cuzco ber of Local 79 of the Laborers' Interna­ Marchers demanding immigrant rights in New York City, October 12. tional Union of North America. Other Workers in unions present were the Union of Machine Workers of America. if they take us away, we're coming right Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Em­ Close behind the laborers were more than back," they chanted. ployees, Service Employees International 100 Salvadorans from Hempsted, Long Is­ New immigration laws that are about to Asia resist Union; Teamsters; Brotherhood of Carpen­ land, and Newark and Elizabeth in New Jer­ go into effect will make gaining legal resi­ ters; and the United Electrical, Radio, and sey. "We are here and we're not leaving, and Continued on Page 4 austerity Amtrak workers prepare for strike measures BY MAURICE WILLIAMS BY RUTH ROBINETT Workers and students have begun to or­ NEW YORK- The 2,300 members of ganize protests against austerity measures the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way imposed by the regimes in Southeast Asia Employees (BMWE) who work at Amtrak in response to continued economic turmoil are preparing for a possible strike against in the region. Transport workers struck in The Changing Face of u.s. Politics the national passenger railway. Recent ne­ the Philippines and paralyzed traffic in eight WORKING-CLASS POLITICSANDTHETRADE UNIONS gotiations between the company and the cities demanding a reversal of increased oil Jack Barnes union have yielded little progress. prices and calling for a pay raise. Under this A handbook for workers coming into the factories, mines, and mills, Earlier, the BMWE blasted Amtrak for pressure, the Philippine Supreme Court is­ as they react to the uncertain life, ceaseless turmoil, and brutality of rejecting wage recommendations from a sued a 30-day injunction October 7 on any capitalism in the closing years of the twentieth century. It shows how government-appointed board and for refus­ new price increases. millions of workers, as political resistance grows, will revolutionize ing to negotiate a contract with the union Some 16,000 aerospace workers in themselves, their unions, and all of society. Regular price $19.95 Plus under those recommendations. The wage Bandung, Indonesia, struck October 13 and $1 0 for the subscription. recommendations are the same as those that held mass rallies protesting threatened lay­ were agreed to last year between the BMWE offs. Indonesian students rallied October 6 Che Guevara: Economics and Politics and other Class-1 railroads. Despite argu­ outside the Bulog- the state monopoly that in the Transition to Socialism ments by the union, the "presidential emer­ regulates food prices - demanding the res­ Carlos Tablada gency board" did not recommend the same ignation of its director and a price freeze Quoting extensively from Guevara's writings and speeches on building socialism, this book benefit, job security, or work rule improve­ Continued on Page 12 presents the interrelationship of the market, economic planning, material incentives, and vol­ ments that were also part of the agreement. untary work;· and why profit and other capitalist categories cannot be yardsticks for measur­ Instead, it recommended that these and other ing progress in the transition to socialism. Regular price $17.95 plus $10 for the local issues be placed into binding arbitra­ subscription. tion for final resolution. BMWE members at Amtrak have worked without a general wage increase for more than two years. The union organizes workers who construct and maintain railroad tracks, buildings, bridges, and electrical systems that power trains. El rostro cambiante de Ia politica A strike could close down service for en Estados Unidos 600,000 railroad riders and affect much of LA POLiTICA OBRERA Y LOS SINDICATOS the 22,000 mile Amtrak system. Commuter Regular price $21.95 plus $6 for the subscription. trains in the Northeast Corridor- from Washington, D.C., to Boston- would be Che Guevara: economia y politica en Ia affected, as well as service in Los Angeles, transici6n al socialismo San Diego, and San Francisco, Amtrak Regular price $19.95 plus $6 for the subscription. said. Also, Conrail's freight service along the Northeast corridor and local commuter Available from bookstores listed on page 12, or from Pathfinder, 410 West St., New York, NY I 0014. service would be affected. New Jersey Fax: (212) 727-0ISO.If ordering by mail, please include $3 to cover shipping and handling. governor Christine Todd Whitman urged Continued on Page 4 Why 'Militant' opposes bosses' trade pacts- page 14 Zimbabwe farm workers strike vestigation began in Janu­ Farm workers in Zimbabwe launched · ary when McKinney's their first national strike in that country's former public relations aide history in late September demanding sub­ Sergeant Brenda Hoster al­ stantial wage increases. The farm work­ leged that he made sexual ers, who are among the lowest paid work­ advances at her during an ers in the country, are demanding a 135 April 1996 conference in percent increase. The bosses' Commer­ Hawaii. cial Farmers' Union (CFU) offered a mere 20 percent raise. The CFU called for gov­ Antiabortion bill ernment intervention into the dispute. vetoed On October 7 in Trelawney, Zimbabwe, Clinton again vetoed a normally one of the most productive zones ban passed by Congress for tobacco and horticulture, 15,000 strik­ against the late-term abor­ ing farm workers brought production to a tion procedure called "in­ standstill, blocking off roads and holding tact dilation and extrac­ rallies. The government deployed armed tion," on grounds that it did police and helicopters to patrol the 144 not include an exception mostly white-owned farms. The cops ar­ when the health of the rested more than 100 protesters. The As­ woman is in serious jeop­ sociated Press said that some farm work­ ardy. Supporters of the ban ers destroyed crops. General Agricultural on what they have mis­ and Plantation Workers Union spokesper­ named "partial-birth abor­ son Cuthbert Hute called for a return to Panamanians celebrate the transfer of Albrook Force to Panama October 1. Under the Panama tion" say they will try to work October 9, but strikers stayed out. Canal treaties of 1977, Washington must remove all U.S. military forces from Panama by Dec. 31, 1999. override the veto this year. If enacted, it would be the U.S. war jets fly deeper into Iraq Naiarbayev accepted Kazhegeldin's resig­ teen elite cops were implicated in the Sep­ frrst ban on an abortion procedUre since the U.S. secretary. of defense William Cohen nation for "health reasons" the former prime temi:Jer 8 disappearance and execution-style 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling le­ announced October 9 that U.S. jet fighters minister had been under attack from other killing of six Mexican youth. After initial galized abortion. will be "flying farther north [into Iraq] than government members for allegedly secretly denial, cops admitted that evidence found they were before- in other words, they're acquiring shares in Kazakhstan's lucrative by the press matched the blood of the dead 'No selling off of Panama!' going deeper into the no-fly zone" which oil refineries. He denied the charges. youth to blood traces in one of the police About a dozen people picketed outside extended to the 33rd parallel. The aircraft trucks. the offices of the Organization of American carrier U.S.S. Nimitz arrived in the Persian Mexican cops 'disappear' States (OAS) October 7. They carried picket Gulf October 12, flanked by several U.S. workers, youth in 'war on drugs' Canadian gov't tightens borders signs that read, "Stop privatization! Justice warships. Washington's stepped-up threats The Mexican government's "war on After dropping visa requirements for citi­ for workers in Panama!" Thousands of Pana­ are supposedly in response to Iraqi flights drugs" in has emboldened the cops to at­ zens of the Czech· Republic last year, the manian workers have lost their jobs in re­ into the so-called no-fly zone- imposed tack working people there. Cops smash their Canadian government reinstated them in cent years due to the government's sale of and maintained by Washington since 1991 way into working-class families' homes, early October, saying there was an overflow major industries to private investors. Among after the imperialist war against Iraq. drag people out, and cart them away -some of Roma (Gypsy) immigrants from that those companies sold have been Panama's have never been seen again. Morris Tidball country. Seeking refugee status, the Roma two principal concerns, the National Tele­ Cabinet resigns in Kazakhstan Binz, head of Amnesty International's Latin say they are subject to attacks by skinheads, phone Company and the State Cement Fac­ Under the pressures of an economic cri­ America programs said that "even though and discriminated against by the Czech gov­ tory. "This has been a very hard struggle, sis in Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Akezhan the police or the military are responsible, ernment. but it is imPQrtant to continue and we are Kazh~eldin and the entire cabinet of that there is absolute denial." confident we will win," explained Rolando country resigned October 10. "It is bitter to In Juarez, Mexico, reported an October 7 House ·passes school vouchers Gomez a representative of the hydro-elec­ acknowledge that we are poorer today and New York Times article. "nearly 90 people The Speaker of. the House, Newt trical worker's union in Panama. G6mez was behind in development," said President have vanished, including 8 United States Gingrich, cast the tie-breaking vote for a joined by fellow unionist Luis Batista. Nursultan Na.?:arbayev, comparing their sta­ citizens." The article continues, "The budget for the District of Columbia Octo­ Gomez and Batista had come to Washing­ tus today with its status as part of the Soviet Clinton Administration largely appears to ber 9, which includes issuing vouchers to ton seeking to speak before the Inter-Ameri­ Union. The oil-rich country was held up as have turned a blind eye toward the disap­ public school students to help pay tuition at can Human Rights Commission of the OAS. one of the likely nations to climb out of third pearances, consistently praising the Mexi­ private schools. Gingrich said the vouchers In January 1994 unions in Panama filed world status, but has yet to do so. While can Government's anti-drug efforts." Nine- are needed because children "are being human rights violations charges with the cheated by the politicians, they are being commission against the Panamanian govern­ cheated by the teachers, they are being ment. They charge the government with vio­ cheated by the unions." U.S. president Wil­ lation of that country's labor laws and those liam Clinton has said he would veto the of international conventions. The commis­ voucher proposal, sion accepted the unionists' petitions, but it has declined to schedule a hearing on the Army sergeant stripped of post charges. On September 24 Gomez and On October 9; the U.S. Army stripped Batista were informed by the commission Gene McKinney of his post as Sergeant that their case would not be heard during its Major- the top enlisted position -a day fall session currently taking place. In re­ after it was announced that he would be sponse Gomez announced the unionists court-martialed on charges of sexual mis­ would maintain a hunger strike until the com­ conduct.· Army chief of staff Gen. Dennis mission meets with them. Reimer stated that he had no opinion on -BRIAN TAYLOR whether McKinney was guilty or innocent, but removed him because trial proceedings SamManuel,amemberoftheUnitedTrans­ would make it impossible for McKinney to portation Union in Washington, D.C., con­ fulfill his duties as Sergeant Major. The in- tributed to this column.

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2 The Militant October 27, 1997 Bonn leads interest Venezuela students: 'Clinton no!' rate hike despite record joblessness BY CARL-ERIK ISACSSON countries has increased to more than 10 per­ STOCKHOLM-The Bundesbank, the cent, the jobless rate has fallen in Britain to . German central bank, unexpectedly rais.ed 5 percent, only half its rate in 1992. An edi­ a key short-term interest rate from 3.0 per­ torial in the September 26 Financial Times cent to 3.3 percent October 9. The central commented that this is "good news for Brit­ banks of Belgium, France, the Netherlands, ain but what does it say about the rest of the and Luxembourg followed suit. world? A 5 percent unemployment rate was, These countries comprise the core group after all, only the average at the end of the for the projected European economic and 1970s and much above the 3 percent con­ monetary union (EMU). Their coordinated sidered excessive at the start of that decade." rate hike suggested that Bundesbank's de­ The attempt to push through austerity cision was not only dictated by the recent measures in the name of meeting the crite­ fall in the value of the German mark rela­ ria for the monetary union has contributed to the collapse of the coalition government tive to the dollar and pound, but also a prepa­ A group of university students in Venezuela protested U.S. president William ration for the introduction of the "euro" in Italy. After a week of wrangling over the 1998 budget, Prime Minister Romano Prodi Clinton, who arrived in Caracas October 12. Clinton signed an energy agree­ single currency, scheduled for Jan. 1, 1999. ment with the Venezuelan government, which is the biggest supplier of oil to the In order to avoid setting off the kind of cur­ resigned October 9 as he failed to get the support of the Communist Refoundation United States. U.S. oil executives met with Clinton there to discuss Venezuela's rency turmoil that hit Europe in 1992 - 93, oil industry -expected to open for new private investments worth $30 billion. this core of governments have to act to a Party (RC) for austerity measures totaling degree as if the single currency already is $3 billion in cuts in pensions and other so­ in effect, with fixed exchange rates and close cial spending. This was Italy's 55th govern­ to no differences in interest rates. ment since World War II, and it had unex­ Denmark, Austria and Belgium -thanks Bonn. "There is absolutely no reason for a The higherinterest rates will tend to fur­ pectedly survived for 17 months with a to the addition of the low income region of discussion about a delay," stated government ther restrict economic growth, at a time stable showing that had placed Italy among east Germany. A column in the September spokesman Peter Hausmann. when unemployment rates continue to hit the 11 countries expected to join the single 17 Financial Times argued that "Germany Foreign minister Klaus Kinkel also issued new highs. The jobless rate in France stands currency from the start. could do much better if they agreed to sup­ a statement rejecting Tietmeyer's views. at 12.5 percent, and unemployment in Ger­ On October 14 Prodi was reinstated after port further CAP [Common Agricultural Others have since then joined the debate. many reached yet another post-war record reaching an agreement with the RC to in­ Policy] reform. Farm spending still accounts Germany's Economics Minister Gunter of 11.7 percent in September. Most of the troduce legislation to reduce the workweek for almost half the EU budget. But the Ba­ Rexrodt said, "In my view, a delay implies increase in Germany came in the eastern part from 40 hours to 35 hours by 2001. Never­ varian farm lobby has tied the Bonn the great danger of a definitive collapse [of of the country, where the official jobless fig­ theless, the stamp of political instability and Government's hands." the EMU] and renationalization within the ure is now 19.2 percent, underlining the Bonn's opposition to including Italy in EMU Another motive for Bonn not pushing the EU. Things must not get that far. The intro­ widening economic division between the makes it more likely now that Rome will be demand for reforming CAP is that it could duction of a common currency bears great­ two parts of the country. kept outside the Union from the start. fracture the fragile consensus the countries est importance for Europe." "Why would a central bank start a new within the European Union has on enlarge­ In an article in the September 18 Finan­ cycle of higher interest rates in a country Tensions over EU enlargement, budget ment ofit to new members. In the long term, cial Times, Wolfgang Schauble, the leader suffering from unemployment at levels not At a meeting of the finance ministers of enlargement to central and eastem Europe of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) seen since the 1930s?" asked an editorial in the European Union in Mondorf in south­ will shift the center of gravity away from and Christian Social Union (CSU) coalition the October 10 Financial Times of London. em Luxembourg on September 13, German Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, toward in the German parliament, wrote, "In view "A part of the answer is that the Bundesbank finance minister Theodor Waigel opened a Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary, the of the past successes of European stability believes unemployment is almost entirely a battle over the EU budget. Waigel, who in countries that the German rulers see as their policy and the efforts of individual EU mem­ structural phenomenon," the editors declare, interviews in German press has complained backyard. ber states to attain stability, there is no rea­ suggesting there's nothing to be done to that Bonn pays more than 60 percent of the The rift between Paris and Bonn again son to postpone EMU. Doing so would not improve the situation. net costs of the EU, declared, "It is an ab­ came to the fore when Jospin and Kohl met only ease the pressure to reach convergence Meanwhile, French prime minister Lionel surdity that the German people will not ac­ for the 70th bilateral summit in Weimar, but would also call into question the suc­ Jospin pledged October 10 to introduce a cept. A new mechanism for the sharing of Germany, September 17. Instead of taking cesses so far. The entire project would run .. law that would reduce the workweek to 35 the budget burdens in the Union must be initiatives to develop further the European the risk of collapsing." hours from 39 by the end of the century. worked out before there will be an enlarge­ Union, the agenda focused on issues of less But Edmund Stoiber, a CSU politician Jospin's move followed a fresh outbreak of ment of it with new members." importance like strengthening of cultural and government chief in Bavaria, said in a strikes during the week by workers on the The representatives of the Netherlands, and educational exchanges and for mutual September 15 interview in the Swedish daily French railroad system and the Paris Metro. Austria, and Sweden - governments that recognition of vocational and educational Svenska Dagbladet; "If someone says that Differences in the economic conjuncture· also pay far more than what they get back qualifications. the timetable is more important than the cri­ among countries within the European Union in agricultural and other subsidies - imme­ The French and German delegates at the teria, I answer that it is contrary to what is (EU) will also build up tensions between the diately backed Waigel in his demand for a meeting agreed to proceed with the change written into the Maastricht Treaty. We will member states. The Bundesbank is trying revision of the budget mechanisms. The fi­ in Airbus status into a joint-stock company respect both the criteria and the timetable, to converge interest rates at a level below nance ministers from Spain, Greece, and by January 1999. The declaration stated that but if it is not possible the criteria have pri­ those in effect in Ireland, Portugal, and Portugal, whose governments get more the French and German governments are "in ority over the timetable." Spain, which average 5 - 7 percent. These back, especially in agricultural and regional complete agreement" that a restructuring of Some Social Democratic Party (SPD) regimes want to keep their interest rates subsidies, weren't favorable. Charles Airbus is "urgently imperative" to create an politicians have joined the chorus for post­ higher either to defend their currency ex­ McCreevy, the Irish finance minister, was agile European competitor to Boeing Co. ponement. Earlier Gerhard SchrOder, one of change rates or because they have come fur­ openly negative to the proposal. Dublin is of the United States. Boeing acquired the Social Democratic candidates for chan­ ther in the business cycle than in Germany one of the bigger net receivers of agricul­ McDonnell Douglas in August to form tbe cellor in the upcoming German elections, and France, where the upturn is weak. tural subsidies within the Union. world's biggest aerospace company. Paris said that EMU should be delayed if the cri­ The British rulers are still fiercely debat­ Waigel argues that Germany is slipping had earlier been unwilling to incorporate teria are not fulfilled. He was joined in early ing whether and when London will join the down the rankings of the rich countries - state-owned aircraft factories into a jointly September by prominent Social Democratic single currency project. While unemploy­ it is now fifth in terms of per capita gross owned Airbus company, however, and de­ opposition politician and mayor of Ham­ ment as an average among the EU member domestic product behind Luxembourg, tails implementing the agreement remain to burg, Henning Voscherau, who in his elec­ be worked out. tion campaign stated, "If the criteria are not At the meeting of the EU foreign minis­ met the euro will not be a stability currency ters in Brussels, other questions of dispute but an inflationary currency, and that we can over the enlargement of the EU came up. not have." Voscherau played a key role in The Belgian government, supported by national politics as coordinator of his party's Paris and Rome, demanded a streamlining opposition to government tax reform of institutions and decision making before blocked by the SPD-dominated Bundesrat, enlargement goes ahead. They said a fur­ the upper house of parliament. In 1992 both ther strengthening of EU institutions was houses of parliament reserved the right to "an indispensable condition" for conclud­ evaluate terms under which Germany would ing negotiations with the applicants. join the single currency. The Social Democrats were stunningly Debate over delay of EMU in Germany defeated in the Hamburg elections in early Meanwhile, the debate over a possible October, loosing several percent while both delay in starting the common currency has CDU and the far right gained. Voscherau heated up in Germany. In early September resigned his posts within the SPD and a de­ Bundesbank president Hans Tietmeyer sug­ bate over the election strategy of the Social gested that a postponement of the euro Democrats broke into the open. Oscar would pose no great problem. While avoid­ Lafontaine, now the SPD chairman and also ing any direct comment on the possibility a likely chancellor candidate in the 1998 of the delay, he told the newspaper Die elections, joined Rudolf Sharping, the head Woche, "I simply cannot agree with those of the Social Democrats parliamentary fac­ who argue that a delay to the euro would tion, in criticizing Voscherau's election cam­ cause the heavens to cave in or the economy paign as too centered on "law and order" to come off the rails." and "euroscepticism." Instead, they said, the These remarks came up one day after Social Democrats should focus their elec­ Lamberto Dino, the Italian foreign minis­ tion campaign on the classic themes of so­ ter, called for a year's delay in the EMU if cial benefits and fighting unemployment. many countries fail to meet the entry con­ ditions next spring. These moves were im­ Carl-Erik /sacs son is a member of the met­ mediately countered by the government in alworkers union in Sodertiilje, Sweden. October 27, 1997 The Militant 3 $125.111 Patllflnder Fund Book fund: $18,000 this week Septemller 1 - Novemller 1 BY LUIS MADRID AND RUTH ROBINETT NEW YORK- Pathfinder Fund sup­ porters internationally rose to the challenge laid out in this column last week. The $18,309 collected- the best one-week to­ tal yet- puts the campaign on solid ground as we enter the last three weeks of the drive. Supporters in New York City and Canada led the way, each jumping nearly 40 per­ centage points on the chart. Participants in an October 11 fund rally in Brooklyn paid nearly $5,000 toward the local goal. On their part, supporters in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver organized collections adding up to $2,043, to cruise to the top of the chart. The funds received this week indicate that with similar attention the pace of contribu­ tions can be maintained and the pledges fur­ ther increased. Comparable collections will be necessary in each of the final three weeks to successfully meet the $125,000 campaign. The drive was also boosted by efforts made in several areas focusing on securing pledges from individuals in order to match Militant/Margrethe Siem or exceed their area goals. In the case of San Pathfinder editor Luis Madrid, left, talking with students October 2 at a com­ Francisco, pledges now total $12,312 out of memoration of the 1968 student massacre in Tlatelolco, Mexico. Madrid and a goal of $11 ,000; pledges by Atlanta sup­ Pathfinder supporter Margrethe Siem, who were on a sales trip there, were in­ porters stand at $124 over their $4,500 goal. vited to the event by students at BUAP university in Puebla, Mexico. They sold Similar efforts led in Chicago to an increase 69 books and pamphlets to students, professors, and others over the week. in pledges of $2,707 for a total of $10,653 Pathfinder's newly published Che Guevara: Economics and Politics in the Tran­ toward their $12,000 goal. After reviewing sition to Socialism in Spanish was the top seller, with 16 copies. their pledges, fund backers in London and Manchester increased their joint goal from $1,200 to $1,500. cent victories by the Teamsters over UPS, fort. He pointed to increased resistance by "The new spirit of labor resistance" was and the transportation workers in the San workers to the economic pressures brought the theme of Robert Miller's talk at the New Francisco Bay Area, Miller underscored the forth by the crisis of capitalism. Farm work­ York fund event. An assembly worker and new opportunities presented to Pathfinder ers organizing campaigns in the West Coast member of the United Auto Workers, Miller supporters to reach out in the broadest way and elsewhere and the Wheeling-Pittsburgh is also the Socialist Workers' candidate for possible with the political weapons pub­ steel strike, he said, are examples of that governor of New Jersey. Pointing to there- lished by Pathfinder and with the fund ef- resistance. Thousands march for immigrant rights Continued from front page city," said Lolita Lebron, a Puerto Rican Chavez Blvd. to City Hall here for a rally dence in the United States much harder. Up Independence fighter who spent 25 years in demanding "real amnesty" and "papers for to 1.5 million people could be required to U.S. prisons. Lebron, who is president of everyone" on October 12. return to their homelands while awaiting the Nationalist Party, explained, "I remem­ The action was sponsored by the Interna­ residency papers. The government has ber walking the streets, hungry and unem­ tional Network for Full Rights for Immi­ greatly stepped up deportations of immi­ ployed, reading the 'Puerto Ricans need not grant Workers and Their Families that in­ grants who at some time in the past were apply' signs." cluded marchers from Central America and convicted of a crime under U.S. law. And Other speakers included Alfonso Benitez, Mexico who protested proposed changes in under another law that took effect in Sep­ the president of the Independent Telephone the immigration laws. tember, any undocumented immigrant who Workers Union of Puerto Rico, who had just Sponsoring organizations, part of the leaves the United States after being here led a demonstration of 60,000 people against Network, include the Central American more than 180 days cannot return for be­ the proposed sale of the Puerto Rico Tele­ Resource Center (CARECEN), the Associa­ keep immigrants on the bottom rung of the tween three and 10 years. phone Co. in San Juan the previous week. tion of Salvadorans in Los Angeles ladder." She marched behind a banner writ­ "We have the right to choose where we Former Democratic Party candidate for (ASOSAL), Coordinadora 96-2000, the ten in Spanish that said, "Orange County for want to live and work, and to do so without mayor Alfred Sharpton, as well as represen­ FMLN of El Salvador, El Rescate, a Cen­ the human rights of immigrants." getting separated from our families," ex­ tatives of the Communist Party and Work­ tral American service center, the Party of An hour-long rally was held on the steps plained Esly Umanzor, a member of the ers World Party also spoke. Olga Rodriguez, the Democratic Revolution of Mexico of city hall with speakers from the sponsor­ Workplace Project for Labor Rights. Socialist Workers Party Candidate for mayor (PRD), the Community Services Organiza­ ing organizations and individuals affected "Let them become citizens like everyone got a warm welcome at the speaker's plat­ tion and other political organizations includ­ by the changes in the immigrations laws. else," agreed Glen Russo, who was watch­ form as the only candidate who promoted ing the Labor Party, the Socialist Workers Other actions that day included a demon­ ing the march in front of the Winter Garden the demonstration on the recent televised Party, and the Workers World Party. stration of 1,000 in Austin, Texas. In Tuc­ Theater, where he works. "My family came mayoral debates. An October 9 news conference publiciz­ son, Arizona, 80 people marched to the lo­ to this country three generations ago from ing the march and rally was covered by the cal border patrol headquarters and planted Ryan Lewis contributed to this article. Italy. Why would I want something differ­ three Spanish-language TV stations and the 18 crosses in front of it with the names of ent for them?" he asked. + daily La Opinion. undocumented people killed by the Border Representatives of the participating orga­ When asked what she thought of the re­ Patrol in that state. nizations spoke at a rally close to the UN BY BARRY FATLAND cent legislative attacks on immigrants, headquarters later that afternoon. "I know LOS ANGELES- Nearly 1,000people marcher Carolina Rodriguez of Santa Ana, Barry Fatland is a member of the United what it means to be an immigrant in this marched from East Los Angeles down Cesar Orange County said, "It's another way to Transportation Union Loca/1544. Track workers may strike at Amtrak

Continued from front page organized fashion." says it can't pay wage increases, but they that negotiations continue, saying that a The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi­ should pay those guys first before 'upgrad­ strike would be a catastrophe for New Jer­ neers District 11 sent out a memo to all ing equipment.' "Stephen Young, a conduc­ sey and other states in the region. She an­ members regarding strike instructions. The tor and member of the United Transporta­ nounced she had sent letters to President memo stated "Passenger Engineers are not tion-Union, stated, "Let 'em strike. It would William Clinton, Speaker of the House New­ expected, nor will they be ordered to cross be good for the unions, it needs to be done." ton Gingrich, and Amtrak president Thomas picket lines. BLE members will be governed Mary Wilson and Lilly Lewis are coach Downs asking them to "take extra steps to as we have in the past, when fellow unions cleaners and are outraged about Amtrak's resolve the situation." have withdrawn from service," and will management position. Wilson declared, The bulletin boards in Amtrak's crew honor picket lines. "They're telling people who have been here rooms in New York are posted with state­ At Amtrak's Sunnyside yard in Queens, 20 years 'No' who are only making $12.69 ments of the BMWE, The Brotherhood of New York, discussions about the upcoming per hour." Lewis added, "And they need the Locomotive Engineers (BLE), and the October 22 deadline are everywhere. "How sick days, just like we do. If they get them Transportation Communications Interna­ long can you last? Won't Congress stop it?" maybe it will help us." tional Union (TCIU) urging support for the "It will never happen!" "We can't strike." Amtrak worker Margrethe Siem said the track workers. "I'll never cross a picket line!" These state­ yard crew she works on here was greeted "No one wants to go on strike, but we ments were expressed in numerous conver­ by a group of track workers at the yard with, must be prepared to strike on or after Octo­ sations tbat can be overheard among work­ "Hey, will you honor our strike?" The yard ber 22, 1997 if it becomes necessary," said ers - coach cleaners, engineers, conduc­ crew yelled back, "Sure, we won't work!" a letter sent to BMWE members by union tors, brakemen, track workers, and others A mechanic asked the yard crew, "Are officials in the region. "We have strong represented by various unions. P. J. you ready for next week? We all have to strike organizations on the property and in Graziano, an engineer said, "I hope they get stay out here, we have to stick together." our lodges and you will be notified of the the money they want, because I don't want need to set up picket lines through these or­ to go on strike. I've got bills, too." He added, Ruth Robinett is a member ofUnited Trans­ ganizations. We must act in a disciplined and "A lot of waste goes on here. The company portation Union Loca/1370 at Amtrak. 4 The Militant October 27, 1997 SELL THE BOOKS WO,RKERS OF THE WORLD NEED

300+ sign up in best week of drive Countries/Cities BY ARGIRISMALAPANIS on this week's chart. After their success, nal land rights," Bob FRANCE* The October 4- 12 target week of sales they raised their goals slightly. Aiken reported from was the best week of the subscription drive "October 4 - 12 coincided with a number Sydney, Australia. "We GREECE 77% 69% 100% so far. Nearly 200 new readers signed up for of activities commemorating 30 years since sold nine copies of the Militant and 113 for Perspectiva Mundial Che Guevara's combat in Bolivia," Ostling Militant, one PM sub, AUSTRALIA 178% 180% subscnptions since the last scoreboard was noted. "Meetings, concerts, and teach-ins and eight Pathfinder published. Militant supporters also sold 106 related to the anniversary took place around books. The highlight of UNITED STATES copies of the Marxist magazine New Inter­ the country. The high point was a demon­ the weekend was the Che Washington, D.C.* 150% 158% stration of 700 in Stockholm on October 8, national during the sixth week of the cam­ commemoration later that Boston 137% 163% starting from the city center, passing by the night that drew 500 paign. Detroit 61% 144% Cuban embassy, and ending at the U.S. em­ people. We sold five Mili­ "The target week came in handy," said Newark 42% 46% Anita Ostling from Stockholm in a note to bassy. Marchers handed a note to U.S. offi­ tant and three PM sub­ Los Angeles 81% 118% the Militant. Members of the Young Social­ cials protesting Washington's economic war scriptions, three copies Chicago 148% 140"A. ists and the Communist League in Sweden against Cuba. of the New International, Miami 80% 73% started the week considerably behind "A large number of the demonstrators and 32 Pathfinder books. schedule, but ended ahead and number one were young people, many of whom knew The top sellers were The New York 122% 96% little about Che and were Communist Manifesto Philadelphia* 149% 134% 217% curious to find out what (3), To Speak the Truth; Birmingham 170% 75% 113% he stood for. Two of them Why Washington's 'Cold Pittsburgh 73% 235% 194% subscribed to the Militant. War' Against Cuba San Francisco 94% 119% 175% One of these new sub­ Doesn't End (3), Che Atlanta 123% 69% 160% scribers had gone to the Guevara's Bolivian Diary Des Moines 154% 404% World Festival of Youth (2), Episodes of the Cu­ Seattle 80% 115% 113% City/Country and Students in Cuba this ban Revolutionary War Twin Cities 83% 108% 43% SWEDEN* summer. YS members in (2), and Che Guevara Houston 60% 109% 103% Stockholm who had taken Speaks (2)." Cleveland 56% 38% 50% AUSTRALIA* 6 5 13 11 part in the festival were In Los Angeles, more U.S. Total 95% 114% among the main organiz­ than 70 people attended Goal/Should be CANADA ers of the march." a Militant Labor Forum on Vancouver 5 5 20 6 The same day, other "Defending the Legacy of Montreal 10 5 30 17 SWEDEN 224% 136% 115% Militant supporters in Che Guevara" October 10. Toronto 10 2 20 15 Sweden traveled to the "People came partly as a Canada total 25 12 70 38 UNITED KINGDOM town ofVasten\s, about 70 result of increased sales London 185% 168% 200% UNITED STATES miles west of Stockholm, tables and political work where a similar demonstra­ to build speaking engage­ Manchester 61% 0% Washington, DC* 15 11 15 13 U.K. Total 139% 146% San Francisco 30 18 35 22 tion and. meeting took ments for Cuban briga­ Birmingham, AL* 5 5 15 12 place. They sold another dier general Hany Villegas Atlanta• 15 17 15 5 Militant subscription (Pombo) at UCLA and Cal CANADA Miami 22 15 25 18 there and three copies of State L.A.," said Carole Vancouver 95% 202% Philadelphia 8 3 8 4 the New International. Lesnick, a member of the Toronto 88% 84% 75% Boston 15 11 35 21 "During the target week United Auto Workers Montreal 83% 65% 0% Des Moines 20 24 20 13 we organized carefully a there. "We sold three Canada Total 111% 74% 71% Los Angeles 55 38 55 37 ~,variety of sales," Ostling Militant and three PM Seattle 20 11 20 1 >, ·said. "The YS chapter in subs at the forum and sev­ NEW ZEALAND Pittsburgh* 3 15 ! Stockholm was very active eial hundred dollars worth Auckland 140% 196% Detroit* 8 7 12 13 Christchurch 171% 143% Cleveland 6 2 10 5 New York 70 54 60 67 N.Z. Total 154% 173% Chicago* 45 34 40 15 Houston 15 7 15 4 ICELAND 120% Newark, NJ 40 28 60 55 * raised goal Twin Cities, MN 15 5 15 6 Other U.S. total 291 470 325 PATHFINDER BOOKS SOLD IN THE UNIONS

NEW ZEALAND Countries/Cities June Auckland 2 3 10 5 BRITAIN Christchurch 1 5 4 Wellington 0 1 0 RMT 17% 17% N.Z. total 4 4 16 9 AEEU 20% 60% 80% TGWU* 0% 29% UNITED KINGDOM Total U.K. 50% 14% 27% London 12 14 38 49 Manchester 2 0 12 12 AUSTRALIA UK total 14 14 50 61 AMWU 200% 200% 0%

ICELAND 5 Militant/Carole Lesnick CANADA Sales at October 12 immigrant rights rally in L.A. lAM 0% 75% 63% Other international 0 40 USWA* 33% 11 % 0% in this effort. They sur­ ofliterature." International totals 335 634 494 Canada Total 23% 31 o/o 19% Should be 300 600 450 passed the goals they had Socialists in San Fran­ set for Militant and PM cisco jumped ahead of UNITED STATES subs in these nine days. schedule. In addition to UFCW 67% Some Militant supporters signing up many new UAW 84% 6% 110% took off work or school for subscribers at events UNITE 21% 108% 47% ali-day sales. We spent marking Che 's fall in com­ lAM 100% 48% 83% CANADA two days at the university, bat, "we sold one Militant UTU 35% 8% 28% USWA 0 5 sold at two high schools, sub on the job to a mem­ lAM 0 5 2 OCAW 18% 61 o/o 27% canada total 2 0 10 3 an antinuclear protest, and ber of the Oil, Chemical USWA 25% 0% 68% a concert in memory of and Atomic Workers U.S. Total 30% 24% 55% AUSTRAUA Che Guevara, set up litera­ union and a copy of the AMWU 0 0 0 ture tables at numerous New International to an NEW ZEALAND shopping and communica­ International Association UFBGWU 0 0 0 tion centers, and went of Machinists member," wrote Larry Lane EU 0 0 1 door-to-door at student from San Francisco. MWU 0 0 1 0 dorms. The momentum from the target week can N.Z. total 0 0 3 "In addition to 14Mili­ now be used everywhere to make a final ef­ UNITED STATES tant and PM subscrip­ fort to meet the goals in full by the October lAM 15 4 22 3 tions, we sold 40 Path­ 26 deadline. The biggest challenge is the UFCW 13 10 9 6 finder books. The best Militant subscription goal. The Militant UTU 5 0 20 3 USWA 4 0 22 1 seller was Guevara's So­ needs to receive an average of 207 Militant UNITE 8 7 6 cialism and Man in Cuba subscriptions per week for the next two UAW 5 0 25 in Swedish with 16 copies weeks - slightly more than those sold dur­ OCAW 10 1 15 0 sold." ing the target period -to meet the goal. u.s. total 60 22 119 15 Similar results came in Reports from several cities where social­ UNITED KINGDOM from the other end of the ist workers and others are still behind sched­ RMT 0 0 2 1 globe. "On the afternoon ule indicate that it can be done. In the Twin eluding the first subscriptions to co-work­ AEEU 0 0 5 2 of October 11 we set up Cities, for example, YS and SWP members TGWU 0 0 4 0 ers on the job. "We are now confident we'll UK total 0 0 11 3 two stalls at a rally of 5,000 sold 17 Militant subs last week-more than make our goal," said Michael Pennock from people to defend Aborigi- the previous five weeks altogether- in- Minneapolis. October 27, 1997 The Militant 5 -YOUNG SOCIALISTS AROUND THE WORLD------­ Actions defend Cuba, celebrate Che Guevara This column is written and edited by dent Cultural Center, Pastors for Peace-Min­ the Young Socialists (YS), an interna­ nesota, La Raza Student Cultural Center, tional organization of young workers, Progressive Student Organization, Univer­ students, and other youth fighting for sity Y01,mg Women, Women Against Mili­ socialism. For more information about tary Madness, and the Young Socialists. The the YS write to: Young Socialists, 1573 coalition organized activities for the week N. Milwaukee, P.O. Box #478, Chicago, of October 8 - 13. Ill. 60622. Tel: (773) 772-0551. The activities began with an October Compuserve: 105162,605 march and rally built around three demands: End the U.S. embargo against Cuba! End BY VERONICA POSES the travel ban! and Repeal Helms-Burton! AND JOSHUA CARROLL About 60 people participated. CHICAGO- "Cuba Si!, Bloqueo No!" Rafael Noriega, Third Secretary of the was the main chant at a march and rally to Cuban Interests Section in Washington, end the embargo against Cuba held here D.C., arrived in the Twin Cities October 9 October 8. Nearly 200 people, overwhelm­ to begin three days of speaking events that Militant/Betsey Stone ingly college and high school students, par­ were organized by the coalition. That day October 8 march and rally in Chicago to end embargo against Cuba ticipated in the event. he addressed a crowd of 40 students at Two marches took off from points on the Macalester College in St. Paul, and another Americas where workers have no voice in 1,000 people to protest fascists commemo­ north and the south sides of Chicago, and meeting at St. Olaf College in Northfield of the basic decisions that mark their lives. The rating the death of Nazi leader Rudolf Hess. met up for a rally at the federal building over 50 students. Minneapolis Star-Tribune, several smaller In early September YS members took part downtown. The La Raza Student Cultural Center held papers and radio stations covered the events. in protests against the rightist Sweden The action was organized by the October a panel discussion on the political legacy of Democrats in the capital's main square. The 8 Coalition, made up predominately of Che Guevara on October 10. The panel con­ rightists had been given permission to hold young people after returning from the 14th sisted of an activist in the Chicano move­ BY JUAN FIGUEROA rallies every Saturday until December. They World Festival of Youth and Students. Mem­ ment, a member of the Progressive Student AND CAMILO BOSSI haven't shown up since September 6, how­ bers of several political organizations, in­ Organization, and a member of the Young STOCKHOLM, Sweden- On Septem­ ever, when 100 people held a counter-mo­ cluding the October 22 coalition against Socialists. Noriega also participated in the ber 26 the YS chapter in Stockholm bilization. police brutality, the National Committee to discussion, which focused on the impact and launched its first fund drive. The chapter In October several activities are taking Free Puerto Rican Political Prison- adopted a goal of 12,000 place across the country around the com­ ers, DALE (De Paul Alliance for kronor ($1,500). The memoration of the 30th anniversary of the Latino Enrichment), the Young So­ money will be raised from death of Cuban revolutionary leader Ernes­ cialists, and a Zapatista support group pledges by YS members to Che Guevara. On October 3, some 20 were there. Organizers of the United and supporters, through people attended a Militant Labor Forum Farm Workers union were also dinners, selling snacks at titled "Who was Che?" On October 8, present building support for the fight Militant Labor Forums, around 700 people marched to the U.S. em­ to unionize the fields of California. and more. This will allow bassy in Stockholm in solidarity with the Chants against police brutality, for us to reach out to workers Cuban revolution. The YS participated with immigrant rights, and for indepen­ and youth at political ac­ a banner and set up two tables with com­ dence for Puerto Rico were also tivities in and outside of munist literature. prevalent at the march and rally. Stockholm, and send After the rally and march, the Commu­ "There is a connection between members to events like the nist League and Young Socialists co-spon­ Cuba, immigration, and police bru­ upcoming YS convention sored an open house. Four youth interested tality," explained Sarah Wood, a stu­ in Canada. The YS will in the YS came and stayed for a long time dent at De Paul University and one also be part of a Pathfinder talking politics. of the organizers of the event. team at abook fair in Two people .have since joined the YS .. Jessie Mumm, an activist with the Gothenburg October 28 - Following up on the October 8 events, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, was the November2. Young Socialists held a class on two pam­ first speaker. He read a letter from In mid-August, two YS phlets, Socialism and Man in Cuba, by Er­ the October 8 Coalition to the people members returned from nesto Che Guevara and Fidel Castro and Che of Cuba. "We are united in the knowl­ the 14th World Festival of Guevara and the Fight for Socialism Today: edge that the United States Govern­ Youth and Students. Since Cuba Confronts the World Crisis ofthe '90s, ment is still waging a war to destroy then, they and other youth by Mary-Alice Waters. Ten youth attended, the Cuban Revolution, and that it is who went to the festival including a couple who are interested in the our duty to end the international crime per­ relevance of Che 's example to different have spoken at several report-back meetings YS. petuated against Cuba for the past 36 years: struggles taking place in the world today. in Stockholm and other cities. Interest in the The YS is also part of the international the United States blockade," the letter stated. The highlight of the week's events was a festival and the Cuban revolution has been effort to attract new subscribers to the Mili­ A number of speakers pointed to the im­ teach-in October 11, attended by more than high. tant andPerspectiva Mundial and the Marx­ portance of the Cuban revolution today. 125 people. Noriega gave the keynote ad­ One YS member traveled to Roskilde, ist magazine New International, and has Rudy Lozano Jr., a participant in the World dress on Che Guevara and Cuba today. He Denmark, to participate in a mobilization of adopted goals for the subscription drive. Festival, recounted: "In Cuba, I learned said that Guevara's contribution to the revo­ about how the Cuban peasants and work­ lution was similar to that of Maximo Gomez, ing class came together to overthrow the a Dominican who became a leader of Cuba's dictatorship ofFulgencio Batista. Cuba took struggle against Spanish colonialism. In back its land and resources from the Cuban comparing the two, Noriega said, "even oligarchs and U.S. businessmen. It is for this though Che was from Argentina, he imme­ reason that the U.S. government tried to diately identified himself completely with keep us from attending the festival, for fear the cause of the Cuban revolutionaries." that we might learn what I have learned and Noriega's presentation was followed by we might want to do the same." He was re­ a panel of other speakers, who addressed ferring to the U.S. government's refusal to such topics as: the U.S. embargo against grant licenses to travel to Cuba to members Cuba; gains made for oppressed nationali­ of the U.S. delegation. ties and women through the revolution; and Another participant in the Youth Festi­ how people in the United States can fight val who addressed the rally was Marcelo against the embargo. Venegas, a medical student at UIC. Venegas Michael Rothman, a panelist who is a pro­ spoke about the example of the health sys­ fessor of Caribbean Studies, spoke favorably tem in Cuba. He explained, "In order to cure about the progress in health care and educa­ a person you must first change the sick so­ tion in Cuba and the gains for Blacks, ciety of capitalism, where the majority work women, and other oppressed layers. But he to fill the pockets of the rich." put forward the view that these gains and Gisela Lopez, from the Chicago Cuba the revolution itself are counterposed and Coalition was the last speaker at the rally. should not be confused with the "Castro re­ "Che is really not dead" she warned, "He gime." His view was that this "regime" was lives today in all the young people that are going to fall. here." Representatives from the Nation of Another panelist, Betsey Stone, a mem­ Islam, Pastors for Peace, and the Puerto ber of the International Association of Ma­ Rican Cultural Center also spoke at the rally. chinists and editor of Women and the Cu­ ban Revolution, published by Pathfinder Press, responded to this. "You cannot sepa­ BY HEATHER WOOD rated the revolution from those who have AND PAUL PEDERSON lead this process from the beginning and still ST. PAUL, Minnesota- In response to lead it today," she said. Stone, who attended a call coming out of two international con­ a conference of the Central Organization of ferences held in Cuba this past summer for Workers (CTC) in April of 1996, explained activities to mark the 30th anniversary of how workers at the congress and in union the fall in combat of Ernesto "Che" Gueva­ and factory meetings discussed and made de­ ra, a Cuba solidarity coalition formed in the cisions on the most important questions fac­ Twin Cities. Sixteen organizations partici­ ing Cuba today. She contrasted this to the pated, including The American Indian Stu- situation in the rest of the countries in the 6 The Militant October 27, 1997 Boston socialists: 'cops out of Chelsea High' BY TED LEONARD work hard throughout their life as a wage CHELSEA, Massachusetts - "Chelsea laborer and to be grateful to get any em­ High School Jail." That is how Tyesha, a ployment at all.... 1Oth grader at the school, described it to "For workers and youth, as the Teamsters Linda Marcus, the Socialist Workers candi­ at UPS and fighters against police brutality date for City Councilor at-large in Chelsea. in New York have learned, our strength is The candidate and a team of supporters went in our collective direct action. It increases to the school to express the campaign's soli­ our self-confidence and develops leader­ darity with students who had staged a walk­ ship. This is the opposite of 'mob rule' as out there and to protest the harassment of the student walkout was contemptuously de­ the Socialist Workers campaign a week ear­ scribed by the Chelsea Record and the lier at the high school. school administration." Forty students· walked out of the high On October 7 the School Department and school September 17 in protest of the school the Chelsea Police signed a contract plac­ administration's refusal to hold an assem­ ing two officers on full-time in the Chelsea bly to discuss draconian new rules it had schools. They will be permanently stationed implemented. Dozens more attempted to in the schools and their positions are paid leave but were prevented by the police, who for by the school department. blocked the doors of the school. The stu­ dents who got out marched to City Hall and The socialist campaigners got a taste of the police activity at Chelsea High School Sep­ asked for a meeting with school Superin­ tember 30, when Marcus and her supporters tendent Douglas Sears. He refused, saying, made their first visit to the high school to ex­ "I don't meet in the face of demands couched press solidarity with the students. They set in abusive language and loud tones." Militant up a table across the street on a public side­ Responding to the walkout in an inter­ SWP candidate Linda Marcus (left) talks with students at Chelsea High School walk and passed out dozens of flyers and had view with the Chelsea Record Chelsea High friendly discussions with students. School principal Lincoln Tamayo said he making it to school on time because she has along. They made up a student handbook, was "not going to succumb to mob rule." to take her four-month-old baby to the sit­ then added new rules as the days went on." After the majority of students had come The new rules lower grade points for be­ ter in the morning. "I come in two minutes In a campaign statement defending the out of the school, a Chelsea police officer ing late to school and a student automati­ late and I get two points off my average," rights of the high school students Marcus, a pulled his cruiser into a driveway near the cally fails a class for six unexcused ab­ Justiniano said. Jon Pistone, a lOth grader, railroad worker and member of the United campaigners, blocking the sidewalk, and sences. Also prohibited are cellular phones, told the socialist candidate that the walkout Transportation Union, explained, "These approached the table. He threatened the so­ beepers and other electronic devices. "was like a strike." He added, "We tried to rules are exactly what capitalist education cialists with arrest for blocking "public ac­ Marilyn Justiniano, a junior, explained to deal with the rules but they kept coming - is about. The capitalists want youth in school cess." He said he had received complaints the Chelsea Record that she has a problem like they were making them up as they went to learn to be obedient, to be prepared to about this "military shit you were passing out." The Chelsea Police Report Department record indicated that the cops were dis­ patched to investigate "people passing out International events celebrate Che military flyers." After talking with the American Civil BY MARNIE KENNEDY office at 129, Seven Sisters Road, London Guevara. The Friends of Cuba Society (FO­ Liberties Union (ACLU), the Chelsea City SYDNEY, Australia- Five hundred N7 7QG (Tel: 0171-263-6452). CUS) sponsored the event. Other speakers Solicitor, and some students, and filing a people crowded into the University Hall at included representatives of FOCUS, South citizens complaint form with the police, the the University of Technology, Sydney African Communist Party deputy-secretary candidate and her supporters returned to the (UTS) here October 11 to "celebrate the life BY T.J. FIGUEROA Jeremy Cronin and South African deputy­ school a week later without harassment from and ideas of Che," as the posters publiciz­ JOHANNESBURG - ''Che made the minister of defense Ronnie Kasrils. the cops. They passed out campaign state­ ing the event invited. ultimate sacrifice to show the way forward The interest in Cuba here is largely a re­ ments demanding "Police out of Chelsea The two-hour program featured presen­ against imperialism- and particularly U.S. sult of the battle waged by hundreds of thou­ High School- Stop the Harassment of the tations on the Bolivian campaign, on imperialism, the enemy of humanity," said sands of Cuban internationalist troops in Socialist Workers Campaign." Many stu­ Guevara's contributions to the transition to Angel Dalmau, Cuba's ambassador to South Angola. From 1975 to 1988, Cuban volun­ dents stopped to talk with the campaigners, socialism, and on Guevara's international­ Africa. Dalmau addressed 100 people gath­ teers played a decisive role in repelling suc­ whose placards read "Student protest is not ism. The talks were supported by documen­ ered here October 11 to commemorate the ··cessive invasions of Angola by the army·of mob rule" and "Defend Immigrant Rights tary footage including interviews with Fi­ 30th anniversary of the death of Che the former South African apartheid regime. and Affirmative Action." del Castro and with Cuban workers who spoke of their contact with Guevara and his legacy. It was initiated by young supporters of the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society who organized a coalition that included Socialist Workers campaign in the news members of Cuba solidarity groups, politi­ The following article appeared on His father, also named Thomas, was a law­ history professors, Phyllis Martin, who cal parties, student groups and trade union­ the front page of the October 1 issue ists. Members of the Australian delegation yer and an active member of the Democratic taught him in a seminar, "Imperialism of the Des Moines Register under the Party. to the 14th World Festival of Youth and Stu­ and Decolonization in the 20th Century." headline "Alter committed to his be­ The family moved to Houston when the "He's committed to working out his dents in Havana last August took part. liefs - Socialist Workers Party candi­ The preparations took weeks, as members younger Tom was 12 and his father taught beliefs in society, not just in an ivory date is a revolutionary." there. When Tom was 17, the Alters returned of the coalition read and discussed books tower," she said. "He wasn't there to get to Fort Wayne. by Guevara and his collaborators, and con­ BY JIM POLLOCK a grade and move on to a job." Now his dad is the superintendent at She wasn't surprised to hear her sidered how to answer the slanders and REGISTER STAFF WRITER Catholic Cemetery in Fort Wayne, and his former history student is employed in a myths about Che and the Cuban revolution. mother, Maryanne, teaches second grade at meatpacking plant. The Cuban Consul, Jorge Valdez ad­ Thomas Alter, the Socialist Workers a Catholic school. He has a younger brother dressed the meeting. The evening also fea­ Party candidate for mayor of Des Moines, Alter works at the IBP plant in Perry, and two younger sisters. making $7.45 an hour, and belongs to the tured poetry readings including by Pablo is only 23 years old, which suggests that His great-great-great grandfather served United Food and Commercial Workers Armando Fernandez, a Cuban poet currently he does not have a lot of political experi­ on the Fort Wayne City Council, as did his Union, Local1149. In other words, he's touring Australia. ence. But he has not exactly been sitting around the dormitory either. grandfather. His dad worked for Robert living the life of the workers that his po­ In recent years, he visited Cuba three Kennedy's presidential campaign while at­ litical party wants to help. tending the University of Notre Dame. So, "I wanted to be a history professor, BY PAMELA HOLMES "He's following in the family tradition," said originally. I started a novel; I did some LONDON- On October 25 the North his father. painting. But I couldn't be at peace with East London Cuba Solidarity Campaign "Basically, I think the Democrats and myself. You have to take the times you're (CSC) is planning a day-school entitled Republicans are the same, so I started look­ born into and be a part of it," Alter said. "Viva Che." The program will highlight the ing around," Alter said. He's trying to win votes in Des Moines life and ideas ofErnesto Che Guevara. "The "I was attracted to anarchy a little bit, but while talking about defending the Cuban idea is to provide some depth to the discus­ times; campaigned door-to-door in I didn't see that as realistic. I was attracted revolution and canceling the Third World sion that is going on about Che, most of Houston for Michael Dukakis; stood up to the labor movement during the Caterpil­ debt, rather than focusing on local issues. which is focusing on the image and stereo­ for fellow students against the adminis­ lar strike in 1994, and at the same time I "There are a few voters who are starting types rather than providing information," tration of a big high school; got arrested was learning about Cuba." to get it," he said. In his party, "We don't explained Emma Sangster, secretary of the at an anarchist demonstration at Indiana In Houston, according to his father, Alter see ourselves divided along borders." N.E. London group. The event will include University; and helped organize a Young wrote an article critical of the administra­ It already has been an interesting year a presentation by Rodney Lopez, the Cu­ Socialists chapter in Iceland, of all tion of his high school over the suspension for Alter. He married Maryanne Russo, ban ambassador to London, among others. places. of some students. This was a school with an 22, in July. She's from Boston and they The CSC is organizing a march on Octo­ So, while he may be tilting at wind­ enrollment of more than 4,000; another high met in, naturally, Cuba. Earlier this year, ber 18 to oppose the United States' eco­ mills with his campaign formayorofDes school of similar size sat nearby. they got away with nothing worse than nomic blockade of Cuba and in defense of Moines - previous Socialist Workers "There were 8,500 students in one block, bruises when their car rolled as they came Cuban sovereignty. A lead article in the lat­ Party candidates have drawn just a hand­ ready to walk out, and Tommy was leading off the freeway. est issue of Cuba Sf, the quarterly magazine ful of votes - he comes across as very the charge," his father said. "The school Now he has at least a few more days of the esc noted, "The last time we marched serious about politic:s. backed down. I thought that was pretty of campaigning as one of three mayoral (in 1995), esc managed to gather 1,500 In the hallowed socialist tradition, he's good." candidates. After the Oct. 7 primary, just people in Trafalgar Square (in central Lon­ working for a revolution. At Indiana University, Alter claimed to two will remain. don) for a rally condemning the blockade." "People used to think we were always be the only member of the Young Socialists Alter has lived in Des Moines only Some 30 local and regional branches of going to have kings; they used to think for a while. He said he was arrested during since January, after stops in Chicago and the esc have organized a wide range of we were always going to have slaves," a demonstration there while trying to pro­ Minneapolis. He won't get specific about events throughout the United Kingdom dur­ he said. "I can see a time when every­ tect a friend from police during a scuffle. his future. "I plan on being active in poli­ ing October. Some of the activities include thing is not based on the almighty dol­ Alter graduated from Indiana last year tics in Des Moines for a while," he said. a speaking tour of Cuban student leader lar." with a bachelor of arts degree in history. He is a meatpacker and a mayoral can­ Evarista Sierra Utria, who will address pub­ Alter grew up in Fort Wayne, Ind., a "He really had a very sincere interest in didate, but he said, "My real job is as a lic meetings in dozens of cities. Details of city not too different from Des Moines. the problems we discussed," said one of his professional revolutionary." the tour are available from the esc national October 27, 1997 The Militant 7 Central goal of socialism is the creation of new man The following interview with Orlando retains experiences, very personal memo­ Borrego appeared in issue no. 10, 1997, ries, and documents, some unpublished, in of the international edition of the Cuban which, for example, Che anticipated the magazine Bohemia, under the title debacle European socialism would undergo "Dream and Prophecy." Borrego worked 25 years later. closely with Ernesto Che Guevara in Cuba's Ministry oflndustry, which Gue­ Q: In your opinion, what characteristics vara headed in the early 1960s, and is the ofChe's were most in harmony with his work former head of the Sugar Ministry. The as minister of industry? translation and footnotes are by the Mili­ A: Che lacked experience as a statesman tant. in that period, but he had various things in his favor. He was a man endowed with a BY ARIEL TERRERO very developed intelligence, and an ex­ Although he has obtained a doctorate in tremely broad education. He was also aided economics, Orlando Borrego will always be, by his inclination toward industrial activ­ Top: Prensa Latina; Left: Militant/Martfn Koppel in spirit, the grumpy accountant who Ernesto ity. In the Sierra Maestra, as soon as he re­ Che Guevara once asked to work with him. Above, Guevara visits a factory in the prov­ ceived the command of a guerrilla column, ince of Pinar del Rio, 1962. From left to right: Before giving a green light to the interview, he organized a series of production activi­ he rapidly scans the questions, with avowed a local party leader, Che Guevara, army cap­ ties: bakeries, shoe factories, weapons re­ tain Pablo Ribarta, Orlando Borrego, and distrust and a careful eye .. Fortunately, he pair shops .... When he arrived at La Cabafia eventually bestows his trust and speaks Ale ida March, Guevara's wife. "There was he did the same. nothing utopian in Che," said Borrego, left. freely. He also had iron discipline, dedication, He was 21 years old when Che put him at exceptional will-power, a very original into practice. the head of the Military Economic Junta of method of engaging others to participate in In addition to applying intelligent meth­ the La Cabana fortress, after this Havana work, extraordinary interest in the develop­ ods to educate the individual, a great deal outpost fell into the hands of the Rebel ment of the country, and knowledge ac­ needs to be done in the field of manage­ Army. Later he was one of the first men who quired in the Sierra Maestra about Cuba, its ment techniques and incentives. Che never the mythic Argentine took with him to the history, and even its economy. rejected material incentives, but he empha­ Department of Industrialization of the sized moral ones, so the individual would Agrarian Reform Institute. He spent six Q: Che is remembered above all as a increasingly acquire more consciousness of years very close to Che, starting from when guerrilla leader. What in your opinion social property to make it more effective. he joined Che's guerrilla column in the weighs most in history: Che's military ideas called him an idealist, revtswnist, Eventually the moment will be reached Escambray in 1958. or the economic concepts he developed and Proudhonian, etc. In contemporary bour­ when the individual produces out of his so­ "I always say these were the equivalent applied? geois literature the same thing happens, but cial duty toward work. of 10 or 12 years, because this was very in­ A: Perhaps the loss of Che is felt more this literature has a conception of what a tense, hard work, with days extending to two keenly in his capacity as a revolutionary successful man is that has nothing to do with Q: Was Che's departure for the Congo or three in the morning," says the present thinker than as a guerrilla. In that period he Che or Fidel. They are called idealists, ro­ and later Bolivia an expression of confi­ consultant to the Ministry of Transportation was making contributions to the ideas of mantics; and are given no credit for the in­ dence in the fate of the Cuban revolution? and the hotel chain Horizontes. socialism, with extraordinary value for the fluence they have had in the social transfor­ Do you believe he would have taken another Later he was first vice-chairman and then present and the future. It seems, however,' mations of the 20th century. decision if he knew what Cuba would con­ minister of the sugar industry. But even in that not many people in the world see things There is no revolutionary without dreams. front in the 1990s? this last stage he continued working under that way. Despite the great influence that If there were, he would lack inspiration to A: In my opinion he would not have Che. "He was my boss; I consulted with him Che exercises among the peoples, all of his fight. But in my judgment, there is nothing changed his decision. As Fidel has ex­ about everything." And I suspect he has ideas, as a whole, are still little known. Ev­ idealistic or utopian in Che. I worked with plained, from the time he was in Mexico, never stopped doing it. eryone takes Che in their own manner. Some him and saw him develop these ideas not Che had expected to continue the struggle From such a close relationship, Borrego see him as a guerrilla, others as a legendary only in a theoretical form, but in practice. in Latin America, and specifically in Argen­ figure, others value his capacity for sacri­ Che's effort to develop consciousness in tina, after the Cuban revolution triumphed. fice, his humanism, or the ethics of his life. our country has had tangible results. Many But I also think he departed confident that people in other countries ask me whether the revolution was in an advanced process This selection is part ofa series mark­ Q: What principles and characteristics of something of the new man exists in Cuba, of consolidation. I can state with certainty ing the 30th anniversary of the death in the economy under socialism did Che put and I personally am convinced there is. That that Che was confident that if Cuba applied combat ofErnesto Che Guevara. Argen­ the most trust in? is the way we can stand up today. The revo­ its own viewpoint and had a leader such as tine by birth, Guevara became one ofthe A: The central point in his vision of a lution has withstood the Special Period! and Fidel, there was no cause for concern about central leaders of the Cuban revolution socialist society was the development of the all that came with the collapse of the social­ the stability and leadership of our revolu­ that brought down the U.S.-backed individual, the creation of a new man. That tion. Batista dictatorship in 1959 and, in re­ ist camp, together with the blockade, be­ is the essence of everything he sought. Che cause there is a consciousness and a people sponse to mounting pressure from Wash­ Q: Did he have confidence, then, that was opposed to seeing socialist society as that have known how to uphold revolution­ ington, opened the socialist revolution in socialism was irreversible? simply a question of production to satisfy ary ideas, and meet the challenges required the Americas. Che, as he is popularly the material needs of the individual. He used A: In the case of Cuba, yes. known, was one ofthe outstanding Marx­ by the historic moment. And among the to say that this is what capitalism does, at ist leaders of the 20th century. Cuban people, the attitude of our young Q: But did he believe in the irreversibil­ In 1966-67, he led a nucleus of revo­ the cost of exploitation. It is a tendency to­ people has extraordinary weight. They are ity of socialism in general? In other words, lutionaries from Bolivia, Cuba, and Peru ward consumerism and nothing more. Che an essential pillar of the revolution. would Che have been surprised by the fall who fought to overthrow the military dic­ stressed as the central goal of a socialist so­ of the Berlin Wall? tatorship in Bolivia. In the process, they ciety the creation of a new man- a man of Q: Nevertheless, man under socialism has A: He believed that society on a world sought to forge a Latin America-wide solidarity, ethics, culture, and with the high­ not developed a consciousness as owner of scale would go forward toward socialism. movement of workers and peasants that est values that a human being could have; a the means ofproduction, something funda­ For him this was the solution to the prob­ could lead the battle for land reform and patriot, sensitive toward any human being mental to this system. There has even been lems of humanity. Nevertheless, Che did not against U.S. imperialist domination ofthe in the world. He liked to repeat Marti's idea: talk of a certain alienation of the worker believe that the socialist model of the So­ continent and advance the struggle for "Every true man must feel on his own cheek toward his condition as owner, and that viet Union and the other countries of East­ socialism. Guevara was wounded and every blow dealt against the cheek of an­ property is state-owned, and not social. em Europe was viable or correct. After he captured on Oct. 8, 1967. He was shot other." A: That is an old polemic, one that con­ became familiar with the conceptions of how the next day by the Bolivian military, af­ The development of the productive forces cerns a crucial aspect of socialism. But I the economy was being directed in these ter consultation with Washington. under socialism must be indissolubly linked would not speak of alienation. Che did not countries, he expressed great reservations, As part of the commemoration of this to the formation and training of the human set time limits for the development of con­ anniversary in Cuba, dozens of articles, and predicted, 25 years in advance, that this being. Che set no time period to achieve this sciousness in socialism. For him it was a model was heading back toward capitalism. speeches, and interviews by those who objective, but he was convinced of it. If these long process in which there could be ad­ worked with Che are being published, two lines of approach are not developed in vances and retreats. I am reminded of him Q: Reservations about which tendencies? dealing with the Cuban revolution, its im­ a parallel way until they join up together; if very much with the Special Period. People A: He did not accept the view developed pact in world politics, and the actions of emphasis is given to consumerism and ma­ who advanced in the development of con­ with the New Economic Policy in the So­ its leadership. Many of Guevara's col­ terial production and the individual is for­ sciousness have flagged in the face of short­ viet Union. 2 Che felt that Lenin was forced laborators and family members have spo­ ages, they have retreated, and some have ken at conferences and other meetings, gotten, then it is possible to attain a very to make concessions and apply the NEP bringing Che to life for a new genera­ high level of production and a deformed, even betrayed. Fortunately, they have been owing to the complex and difficult political tion and explaining the importance ofhis selfish individual, similar to the one in capi­ a minority. Continued on Page 14 rich political legacy today. These mate­ talist societies. The question of acquiring real conscious­ ness of social property-and above all that rials contain many valuable firsthand ac­ Q: Because of the emphasis he puts on counts and information, some of which this property be highly productive and effi­ 2 The New Economic Policy was adopted by humanism, some theoreticians--including the Russian Communist Party in March 1921, are being written down and published for cient - is a very complex one. We should on the left--classify Che's ideas as utopian, keep working at it, above all, at putting it following the economic devastation caused by the first time. They are part ofthe broader World War I and the subsequent civil war. Aimed discussion taking place in Cuba today on and some even say that they were an expres­ sion of a petty-bourgt;ois philosophy. What at reviving an economy in which industrial pro­ how to advance the revolution. 1 "Special Period" is the term used in Cuba to duction had fallen to less than 20 percent of pre­ The Militant is reprinting a selection do you think? A: Many people insulted Che, and not describe the economic crisis triggered by the war levels, the measure allowed a limited return of these contributions as a weekly fea­ collapse in long-standing trade relations with the to free trade and the operation of foreign con­ ture, under the banner "Che Guevara only in the capitalist world. In the Soviet Soviet Union and Eastern European countries at cessions alongside the nationalized sectors of and the Cuban Revolution." Union and other socialist countries they also the start of the 1990s. the economy.

8 The Militant October 27, 1997 for members of the Pathfinder Readers Club

Episodes of the Cuban In Defense of Socialism Revolutionary War, 1956-58 Four speeches on the 30th anniversary ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA of the Cuban revolution Firsthand account of the military campaigns FIDEL CASTRO and political events that culminated in the· Not only is economic and social progress possible without January 1959 popular insurrection that the dog-eat-dog competition of capitalism, Castro argues, overthrew the U.S.-backed dictatorship in but socialism remains the only way forward for humanity. Cuba. With clarity and humor, Guevara Also discusses Cuba's role in the struggle against the describes his own political education. He apartheid regime in southern Africa. explains how the struggle transformed the men Regular $13.95 Special offer $10 and women of the Rebel Army and July 26 Movement led by Fidel Castro. And how these To Speak the Truth combatants forged a political leadership Why Washington's 'Cold War' capable of guiding millions of workers and against Cuba Doesn't End peasants to open the socialist revolution in the Americas. Regular $23.95 Special offer $17 FIDEL CASTRO AND CHE GUEVARA In historic speeches before the United Nations and UN bodies, Guevara and Castro address the workers of the Lenin's Final Fight world, explaining why the U.S. government so hates the Speeches and Writings, 1922-23 example set by the socialist revolution in Cuba and why V.I. LENIN Washington's effort to destroy it will fail. In the early 1920s Lenin waged a political battle in the leadership of the Regular $16.95 Special offer $12 Communist Party of the USSR to maintain the course that had enabled the workers and peasants to overthrow the old tsarist empire, carry out the The Changing Face of U.S. Politics first successful socialist revolution, and begin building a world communist Working-Class Politics and the Trade Unions movement. The issues posed in his political fight remain at the heart of JACK BARNES world politics today. Several items appear in Englishfor the first time. Also available in Spanish. Also available in Spanish. n Regular$19.95 Special offer$14 Regular $19.95 Special offer $14 Che Guevara Speaks The Bolivian Diary of Selected Speeches and Writings Emesto Che Guevara Regular $14.95 Special offer $10.50 Guevara's day-by-day chronicle of the 1966-67 Che Guevara: Economics and Politics guerrilla campaign in Bolivia, a painstaking effort to forge a continent-wide revolutionary movement of in the Transition to Socialism workers and peasants. Includes excerpts from the CARLOS TABLADA diaries and accounts of other combatants, including Also available in Spanish and French. Regular $17.95 Special offer $12.50 - for the first time in English - My Campaign with Che by Bolivian leader Inti Peredo. Introduction by Mary-Alice Waters. Regular $21.95 Special offer $15 The Leninist Strategy of Party Building The Debate on Guerrilla Warfar~ in Latin America JOSEPH HANSEN In the 1960s and '70s, revolutionists in the Americas and throughout the world debated how to apply the lessons of the Cuban revolution to struggles elsewhere. A living analysis by a participant in that debate. Regular $26.95 Special offer $19

Pombo: A Man of Che's Guerrilla With Che Guevara in Bolivia, 1966-68 HARRY VILLEGAS A never-before published story of the 1966-68 revolutionary campaign in Bolivia led by Ernesto Che Guevara. It is the diary and account of Pombo - a member of Guevara's general staff, a young fighter still in his twenties and already a veteran of a decade of struggle around the globe. Regular $21.95 Special offer $15

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October 27, 1997 The Militant 9 Congress strengthens socialist course of

Continued from front page revolutionary overthrow of the U.S.-backed the country, for 10 million people, for the But what did they think we were we go­ of coverage. Batista dictatorship - and reviews the gains revolution." ing to do? he asked. "Go down on our knees? The party congress "focused on the ques­ of the socialist revolution. Answering the By 1992, Cuba had lost most vital sources Surrender? ... That's what they demanded tion we have all been discussing - the arguments by opponents of the revolution of supplies and markets, and had to look for of Cuba: unconditional surrender, turning economy," said Juan Jose Iglesias, 51, a that the Cuban government and Communist new ones, the over the entire nation worker from a paint factory here. "Fidel was Party are totalitarian, it defends the demo­ Cuban presi­ and people to the en­ right in what he said. To get out of the 'Spe­ cratic character of Cuba's socialist revolu­ dent said. emies of the nation cial Period' there are no recipes or miracles. tion as one in which working people hold "Hundreds of and people, renounc­ We have to keep fighting, working very state power. thousands of ing our gains, ideas, hard, relying on the intelligence and creativ­ men and and ideals." ity of every human being. What we won't Concrete discussion on economy women were The Cuban revolu­ do is go back to the old days of capitalism." The heart of the congress deliberations left. practically tionary leadership Iglesias made this comment as he stood was a concrete discussion of the severe eco- with no work took a different in line with 60 of his co-workers and thou­ course, Castro said. sands of other people at the Plaza They rejected going of the Revolution to pay tribute back to "the indigni­ to Emesto Che Guevara and his ties of the past." In fellow revolutionaries who fell doing so, Castro in battle in Bolivia 30 years ago noted, they have also (see accompanying article be­ had to wage a fight low). He was referring to the inside the country severe economic crisis in "against those who Cuba- known here as the Spe­ become disheartened, cial Period - precipitated in demoralized, those who have no principles, 1990 by the abrupt loss of some those who break laws at the expense of ev­ 85 percent of the small island eryone else." nation's foreign trade as the So­ viet bloc regimes disintegrated. Refuse to go back to capitalism The congress itself opened on Castro reviewed some of the most impor­ the date commemorated as the tant measures taken to reverse the economic 30th anniversary of Che's mur­ free fall and to revive production, such as der by the U .S.-backed Bolivian allowing use of the U.S. dollar as a legal military. It closed on October 10, currency, developing tourism and encour­ anniversary of El grito de Yara aging foreign capitalist investment in Cuba. (the Cry ofYara), the call to arms "Although we did not like this very much, that launched Cuba's first war of development required capital, it required independence from Spain in seeking new technology and markets," he 1868. said. Delegates to the fifth congress These measures, the Cuban leader noted, adopted four major resolutions: have inevitably generated undesirable social a document titled ''The party of differences. He went on to say that despite unity, democracy and the human Granrna photos by Liborio Noval (inset) and Isrnael Francisco (above) these negative consequences Cuba has been rights we defend"; a resolution Cuban president Fidel Castro (inset) gives opening report to fifth congress of Communist Party of able to maintain the most basic conquests on economic policy; a resolution Cuba, on October 8. Congress delegates approve resolution (above). Portraits on stage depict (from of the revolution. The plunge in the Gross approving the line of the main left to right) Karl Marx, founder of modern communist movement; Bolshevik party leader V. I. Domestic Product bottomed out in 1994 and report given by Castro; and Lenin; Jose Marti, Cuba's national hero; Julio Antonio Mella, founder of the Cuban Communist since then a slight economic recovery has modifications to the party's stat­ Party in 1925; and Ernesto Che Guevara. Slogan on stage says, "These people, this party, will been under way. utes. They also elected a Central never surrender their unity. Fidel." In contrast to "other countries that live in Committee, the decision-making I a permanent Special Period," Castro said, body between congresses, and ratified the nomic crisis Cuba has lived through since· or raw materials in the factgries. The amount Cuba still has social indices such as life ex­ Political Bureau and the first and second the last party congress took place in 1991, of paper money in circulation expanded to pectancy and infant mortality that are com­ secretaries elected by the new Central Com­ and a reaffirmation of the determination to startling proportions. Our currency was tre­ parable to those of the industrialized nations. mittee. find a collective, working-class road for­ mendously devalued. State subsidies ex­ He referred to the rise in infant mortality, The Communist Party had published and ward. panded. The budget deficit grew, reaching decline in life expectancy, and other dete­ circulated ''The party of unity, democracy This discussion began with the opening 30 percent or more of the Gross Domestic riorating aspects of life in the former Soviet and the human rights we defend" shortly report by Fidel Castro, the party's first sec­ Product." Castro added that even arms sup­ Union. He said this demonstrated what it after the congress was called in mid-April. retary. Castro put aside the written report plies and other defense-related equipment means to renounce a socialist course and The document was discussed over the past that had been prepared for him to read to for Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces follow a road toward capitalism, "a system months by party members, members of the the congress, and simply spoke to the del­ shrank to zero. that, while dominant, is prehistoric because Union of Young Communists (UJC), and in egates - and through them to the Cuban Given this drastic picture, made even it has nothing to offer humanity - a wolf thousands of meetings at workplaces and people - for almost seven hours. He de­ more critical by Washington's economic war trying to devour another wolf has nothing neighborhoods, organized by the trade tailed the conditions that CUba has faced and against Cuba, which time and again torpe­ to do with human beings." unions and other mass organizations. dealt with over the past six years. doed new painstakingly negotiated trade Washington is waging a full-fledged eco­ The document traces Cuba's revolution­ Between 1989 and 1992, Castro noted, agreements, capitalist spokespeople around nomic war against Cuba, Castro stressed. ary legacy -from the 19th century battles Cuba's imports had dropped from roughly the world "predicted the revolution's days "That's why we must be soldiers and fight for independence from Spain, to the $8 billion a year to one quarter that amount. were numbered. They predicted this small like good soldiers in the economic war." He struggles against U.S. imperialist domina­ "What a brutal and sudden drop this was in country would be unable to stand up to the emphasized the need for political leadership tion throughout the 20th century, to the 1959 food and other basic necessities of life for United States," Castro noted. to fight these battles, noting that "special work is needed for the education of youth." 'Che and revolution are same thing' Castro devoted the whole final part of his speech to the importance of Che Guevara's leadership qualities, his ideas, the role Guevara played in Cuba and the identity between Che and the Cuban revolution. Che and Cubans came together on the Granma, Castro explained, to begin the revolution­ ary war. Together they lived through the October crisis in 1962 when Washington threatened to annihilate the Cuban people in a nuclear confrontation. Together "they began the construction of socialism, this socialism that is as much ours as his." And together they fought and died in Africa and Bolivia. "Che and the revolution are the same thing," he declared. The major discussion at the congress took place under the report on the draft Economic Resolution, which was given by Political Bureau member Carlos Lage, who is also secretary of the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers. Despite increases in areas such as nickel production, light indus­ try, construction materials, and tobacco - signs of the recovery- the Cuban economy has grown by only 2.1 percent so far this year. Last year's growth was 7.8 percent. The main cause of the lower economic growth, Lage noted, was the fall in sugar production. While no official figures have been released on the size of this year's sugar production, the most common estimate is 4.2 million tons, down from last year's level of

10 The Militant October 27, 1997 the Cuban revolution

4.45 million tons. In comparison, for sev­ side the civilian workers and set high stan­ Castro also spoke eral years immediately prior to the begin­ dards of discipline and productivity. about the need for re­ ning of the Special Period, annual sugar pro­ Roger Delgado, from Matanzas, re­ newal and continuing the duction ran close to 8 million tons. counted the experience at the Victoria de transition in leadership. The biggest blow to this year's sugar bar­ Giron (Gir6n Victory) citrus orchard in The election of the Cen­ vest was the loss of $200 million in financ­ Jagtiey Grande, of which he is the director. tral Committee was seen ing due to the U.S. government's implemen­ On this farm, organized by the EJT, work­ by many as a way to ad­ tation of the so-called Helms-Burton act. ers produced 400,000 tons of fruit in the last vance this transition to­ This law mandates sanctions against com­ year, breaking their historic record set in ward an increasingly ex- panies "trafficking" in property formerly 1989, before the Spe­ owned by U.S. citizens in Cuba. The Cuban cial Period. They did so government lost these short-term, high-in­ with only half the cul­ terest loans at the crucial time needed to fi­ tivated land, fewer nance imports of fertilizer, spare machine tractors, and less fuel parts, and other supplies.for the harvest. consumption. They or­ Lage highlighted some of the problems ganize two daily shifts facing the Basic Units of Cooperative Pro­ and have taken other Granma/ Ismael Francisco (left); duction (UBPCs), both those growing sug­ steps to improve their Militant/ Laura Gana (above) arcane and those producing food crops. Ac­ efficiency. Ramon Romero (left, at microphone), presi­ cording to the figures released in late Sep­ Belen Peiia, 37, from dent of the Primer Soviet de America (First tember, at the National Conference of Non~ Santiago province, is Soviet of America) sugarcane-producing co­ Sugarcane UBPCs in Santiago de Cuba, the president of a cof­ operative in Mabay, Granma province, tells some 69 percent of the non-sugarcane fee farm belonging to delegates how the farm has consistently UBPCs in Cuba are operating at a loss, al­ the Naranjal UBPC, as obtained good yields for the last 14 years. though overall it is a smaller loss than a year well as secretary of the Standing behind Romero is Orlando Logo ago. Barely one out of four of these co-ops Communist Party Fonte, president of the National Association is self-sufficient in food today. These prob­ nucleus at that farm. of Small Farmers (ANAP). The richest part lems are even more critical in the cane-grow­ She related how work­ of the congress discussion focused on the ingUBPCs. ers there had com­ crisis in Cuba's agriculture today and per­ The Cuban government began the trans­ pletely turned around spectives for overcoming it. Above, work­ formation of the country's state farms into coffee production on ers harvest sugarcane at cooperative in smaller cooperative units four years ago. In the farm, transforming Santa Clara, March 1996. these UBPCs, which account for 42 percent it from the worst in the of the arable land, cooperative members municipality to the have the right to use the land and own the best. Then she sparked control of the country's economy for the fruit of their labor. surprise, laughter, and benefit of humanity. applause, when she de­ The challenge in agriculture scribed how she and 'We can do it better than capitalists' The richest part of the congress discus­ other workers had re­ "If capitalists can manage a company ef­ sion focused on the crisis in agriculture to­ placed the entire ex­ ficiently, we socialists can do so better than day. Numerous delegates gave clear and ecutive board, includ- the capitalists," Castro argued. "We have the concrete assessments of the challenges ing the UBPC admin- ' obligation to become administrators, good faced, and in some cases described examples istrator - who is her administrators. Let us do it not only for our where workers and farmers had made im­ husband, she told the congress - for perienced generation of Cuban leaders that well-being. Let us do it for the beautiful portant advances. The thread running "cronyism." grew up within the revolution. ideas that we are defending [and] to fight throughout the discussion, as Castro empha­ The new committee includes a number of this unsustainable and ruthless capitalist sized in his report, was that there are no Discussion on UBPC cooperatives younger party cadres, including a signifi­ system that has no future." magical solutions, that what is needed is At the request of the congress presiding cant number who wer:e formerly central In the early years of the Cuban revolu­ communist leadership to eradicate admin­ committee, several provincial Communist leaders of the UJC and are today taking on tion, "we had the spirit of 'Homeland or istrative, routinist methods, combined with Party secretaries in major sugar-producing major day-to-day party and government Death, We Shall Win.' "Now, Castro added, just plain hard work. provinces addressed the political problems leadership responsibilities. "we must have that same spirit" in fighting Ramon Romero, president of the Primer behind the economic difficulties faced on The Political Bureau of 24 was also re­ to improve productivity. Soviet de America (First Soviet of America) the UBPCs. Pedro Saez, party first secre­ newed. The six members who have not pre­ Castro returned in his closing speech to sugarcane-producing cooperative in Mabay, tary in Sancti Spfritu, stated, "When the state viously served on it include some of the the kind ofleadership working people need. Granma province, described with a wealth farms were turned into UBPCs, many of the younger provincial party secretaries, such He underlined the capacity of human beings of detail how the farmers there had consis­ directors of the state farms went on to be­ as Saez, Robinson, and Sierra, and Misael to transform themselves through revolution­ tently obtained good yields for the past 14 come presidents of UBPCs. There was no Enamorado from Las Tunas. ary struggle, pointing to the thousands of years. The Primer Soviet is a kind of coop­ change in mentality - they still had the idea Of the congress delegates themselves, 16 Cubans who have taken part in internation­ erative, known as Agricultural Production that there were limitless resources and no percent were under the age of 35. Some 22 alist missions in countries like. Nicaragua Cooperative (CPA), that was organized consequences." percent were women. and Angola. "This is what Che meant when much earlier than the UBPCs. Similarly, Jorge Luis Sierra, first secre­ In a major speech closing the congress, he said that being a revolutionary is the high­ Romero explained their careful attention tary in Holguin province, said that in the re­ Fidel Castro returned to the main political est expression of humanity," he emphasized. to cane varieties used, efforts to reduce costs, organization of state farms "the structures questions discussed. He emphasized the Castro recalled the life of Roberto the active involvement of all members of changed but the cadres didn't." positive examples that delegates had de­ Rodriguez, a combatant in the Rebel Army the co-op, and the resulting high morale. The first secretary in Santiago province, scribed of working people taking control of better known as El Vaquerito (Little Cow­ They· also work an average of 10 hours a Juan Carlos Robinson, argued that if there decisions and organizing themselves to boy) who rapidly became an outstanding day, he said, whereas the average on many is no discipline, even a considerable produc­ make gains in raising production while hold­ fighter in Guevara's Column 8 and a leader newly formed UBPCs is reported to be tive potential will be frittered away. Other ing down costs. of the celebrated "Suicide Squad," which closer to 5 hours a day. key factors, he stressed, are the use of the In each case, there was nothing mysteri­ took on some of the most dangerous mili­ The presidents of 39 other CPAs from workday and the political leadership by the ous or unique about the reasons for their suc­ tary assignments. He was killed in Santa provinces across Cuba have traveled to the local party unit. In Santiago province, one cess, he noted. "We must turn the exceptions Clara on Dec. 30, 1958, on the eve of the Primer Soviet, Orlando Lugo Fonte, presi­ of those that has registered real gains; "we into the rule, we must turn efficiency into revolutionary victory. dent of the National Association of Small have 100 percent of the cane-producing ar­ the rule." "Vaquerito himself could not have imag­ Farmers (ANAP), told delegates, taking that eas planted - there are no unused areas; that Castro pointed out that in the name of ef­ ined what he became. Humans have more experience back with them to generalize the makes a big difference." ficiency, capitalists and their governments capacities than what people think, and our example. Part of the discussion by congress carry out policies against the interests of duty as communists is to discover, promote, delegates was on the role the Cuban army Leadership question working people. "We are not going to priva­ and develop those qualities. That was Che's has played in helping increase agricultural One of the most important points on the tize companies - we will not take that virtue- his ability to promote these capaci­ production through the Youth Army of La­ congress agenda was the election of the Cen­ road," he said. In capitalist countries such ties, mainly by his own example. bor(EJT). tral Committee. Raul Castro, second secre­ moves have led to layoffs and speedup on "Now, when we are commemorating the The EJT, volunteer units of young army tary of the party, reported on the work of the job. In a country where workers and 30th anniversary of his death, we must bring recruits, often takes on farms that are the the commission that made nominations for farmers hold power, the struggle for effi­ back something more than his mortal re­ most difficult challenge. They work along- the new body. The congress decided to elect ciency and quality and against waste must mains. We must also bring back his immor­ a new Central Committee of 150, one-third be part of working people taking increasing tal ideas and example." smaller than the previous one. Castro ex­ plained that the last two congresses had elected a committee of 225, eliminating the category of candidate CC members. He said the committee had become overly large and that many did not really function as part of Che Guevara, Cuba, and the a collective working body. Road to Socialism In arguing for the size reduction, Raul Castro pointed out that the Chinese Com­ In New International no. 8 munist Party has a Central Committee of 300-plus even though the party membership Ernesto Che Guevara, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez, Carlos is 58 million - compared with some Tablada, Mary-Alice Waters, Steve Clark, Jack Barnes 600,000 members of the Cuban Communist Debates from the early 1960s and today on the relevance Party. The Central Committee, he argued, and importance of the political and economic perspectives should not be based on representation, but defended by Guevara. $10.00 Also available in Spanish. on demonstrated leadership capacities. He noted that "there exists a perception that someone who comes off the Central Available from bookstores including those listed on page 12, or write Pathfinder, 410 Committee will never be returned" to the West St., New York, NY 10014. Tel: (212) 741-0690. Fax: (212) 727-0150. When ordering CC, but that this is false. by mail, please include $3 to cover shipping and handling.

October 27, 1997 The Militant 11 --MILITANT LABOR FORUMS------ALABAMA Fri., Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. 3284 23rd St. at Mis­ Halsey St. ( 1 block west ofBroad, 2 blocks-north The Middle East Today. Fri., Oct. 24, 7:30 sion. Donation: $4. Tel: (415) 285-5323. ofRaymond). Donation: $4. Tel: (973)643-3341. p.m. 1906 South St. Donation: $4. Tel: (215) Birmingham 546-8218. Black Farmers Fight to Keep Their Land. Speaker: Eddie Slaughter, vice president, Black MASSACHUSETTS NEW YORK Pittsburgh Farmers and Agriculturalists Association. Fri., Boston Brooklyn The Fight Against Police Brutality Today. Oct. 24, 7:30p.m. 111 21st St. Donation: $4. Che Guevara and The Imperialist Reality To­ The Basques: A People in Resistance. Speak­ Fri., Oct. 24, 7:30p.m. 1103 E. Carson St. Tel: (205) 323-3079. day. Panel discussion. Sun., Oct. 26, 2 p.m. 780 ers: Blanka Kalzakorta and Inigo Elkoro, lead­ Donation: $4. Tel: (412) 381-9785. Tremont St. Donation: $5. Tel: (617) 247-6772. ers of the Association of Relatives of Basque Political Prisoners,' Refugees and Deportees now CALIFORNIA touring the United States. Sat., Oct. 25, 7:30p.m. WASHINGTON, D.C. San Francisco NEW JERSEY 59 4th Ave. (near Bergen). Donation: $4. Tel: Che Guevara: His Legacy for Today. 70th Anniversary of the Russian Revolution: Newark (718) 399-7257. Speaker: Ved Dookhum, National Committee Lessons of October, 1917-What They Mean Smog Crisis Hits Southeast Asia - Disaster of the Socialist Workers Party. Sat., Oct. 25, for Working People Today." Speaker: Ove Threatens Health and Livelihood of Workers 1:30p.m.1930 18thSt.NW (at 18th & Florida, Aspoy, Socialist Workers Party and member of and Peasants. Speaker: Jon Erway, Socialist PENNSYLVANIA entrance on Florida). Donation: $4. Tel: (202) United Steelworkers of America, Local 1440. Workers Party. Fri., Oct. 24, 7:30p.m. 87A Philadelphia 387-2185. Workers in Asia resist rulers' austerity measures Continued from front page turn, the officials of the imperialist finan­ 38 percent since that time. Many Asian com­ As a result of the currency crisis, the gov­ on staple foods. Factory workers there are cial institution are pressing the regime for panies borrowed heavily in U.S. dollars and ernment of Thailand recently dropped its organizing work stoppages to force the em­ steeper budget cuts and urging a reduction were forced to repay loans with diminish­ plans to build a $3.7 billion mass transit and ployers to pay their wages. in subsidies on imported diesel and kero­ ing export earnings. According to figures tollway system in Bangkok. The regime in Indonesia's currency, the rupiah, has lost sene. More than 60 percent of the people from a 1997 report issued by the World Malaysia postponed building a $5 billion some 35--40 percent of its value against the living in rural areas in the country rely on Bank, Thailand's foreign debt climbed from hydroelectric dam, and Jakarta shelved 14 dollar since August 14, when it was freed kerosene for energy and lighting. $8.2 billion in 1980 to more than 56 billion infrastructure projects in Indonesia, includ­ from any set relation with the U.S. currency. This comes at a time when Indonesia is in 1995. A banking crisis continues to stalk ing a $525 million-gas fired power plant With a public debt estimated at more than suffering from its worst drought in 50 years. Malaysia as well. "Only a handful of finance owned by the U.S.-based Enron Corp. $50 billion and private debt at $55 billion, The drought is exacerbated by smog, as companies are tipped to survive beyond Meanwhile Tokyo has the worst budget the regime requested aid October 8 from the large plantation owners are torching forests 1999," the Financial Times of London re­ deficit among "Group of Seven" major capi­ International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the and brush to clear land to grow palm trees ported October 8. "The chances of a sys­ talist nations. Industrial production declined World Bank. On September 3 President as international demand for palm oil has temic banking failure such as is unfolding 2.2 percent in August. Japan's gross domes­ Suharto announced a "self-imposed IMF soared. The Indonesian government is push­ in Thailand, are considered remote," how- tic product fell 2.9 percent in the second program" of budget cuts that included sus­ ing for production of 7.2 million tons of ever, the article assured. · quarter. pension of $13 billion in construction crude palm oil by 2000, while plantation projects for power plants and toll roads. areas will more than double to 13.5 million A team ofiMF officials traveled to Jakarta acres. Residents of the island Siberut went October 10 where they are drafting a "res­ to Jakarta in mid-September to protest the cue package" of at least $12 billion. In re- environmental disaster. Suharto told the military during an Octo­ ber 5 parade to be prepared for any unrest. Gen. Feisal Tanjung, chief of the armed forces, pledged to crush any action that would disrupt the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled for March 1998. In response to these threats, Abdurrahman Wahid, a leader of Nahdlatul Ulama, an organization that opposes the government, declared, "If there are any un­ constitutional actions, we will not hesitate to use our force to defend democracy." "What we're seeing is that the turmoil ih Asia has not run its course," said head Greg Fager, head of the Asian department at the Institute for International Finance, after the Indonesian rupiah reached a new low Oc­ tober 6. This U.S. organization represents major financial institutions that invest in and provide loans to "emerging markets." The currency turmoil in the region was triggered July 2 when Thai government dropped its currency peg to the dollar and the baht plunged. The Thai currency has lost -IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP---

Where to find Pathfinder books and dis­ 6325. Compuserve: 103014,3261 Tel: 0171-928-7993. Compuserve: tributors of the Militant, Perspectiva NEW JERSEY: Newark: 87 A Halsey. 101515,2702 Mundial, New Internationa1, Nouvelle Mailing address: 909 Broad St., Suite 320. Zip: Manchester: Unit 4, 60 Shudehill. Postal lnternationale, Nueva lnternacional andNy 07102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. Compuserve: code: M4 4AA. Tel: 0161-839-1766. International. 104216,2703 Compuserve: 106462,327 NEW YORK: New York City: 59 4th Av­ CANADA UNITED STATES enue (comer of Bergen) Brooklyn, NY Zip: ALABAMA: Birmingham: Ill 21st St. ll217. Tel: (718) 399-7257. Compuserve: Montreal: 4581 Saint-Denis. Postal code: H2J 2L4. Tel: (514) 284-7369. Compuserve: South Zip 35233. Tel: (205) 323-3079. 102064,2642 ; 167 Charles St., Manhattan, 104614,2606 -CALENDAR- Compuserve: 73712,3561 NY. Zip: 10014. Tel: (212) 366-1973. CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: 2546 W. Toronto: 851 Bloor St. West. 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According to Friedman, half criminal records had been recruited "new" clothes washers trumpeted as prison supply firm is offering "Vio­ individual is healthy." Perhaps he had of all U.S. households have less than as cops in the past year sparked a a "Major Laundry Breakthrough." lent Prisoner, DeLuxe II Safety in mind the mentally retarded Utah $1,000 in financial assets. A third debate at a Police Association meet­ The key part, however, was a Model." Molded with space for prisoner who died of a blood clot last of all households - and two thirds ing. The association president felt knockoff of one that Whirlpool de­ wrists cuffed behind back, and seat- March after 16 hours in the chair. of Black households- have noth­ that life experience is important. In a veloped nearly 20 years ago. ing in the bank and zero extra cash. tight situation, he said, he'd rather Whirlpool's U.S. patent expired a Seize the time - A group of have "someone with a conviction for few years back but GE also sold the foundations are doing a test pro­ ••• meanwhile -With a lacklus­ assault than a Greek and History machines in Canada where the Harry gram to help the poor buy a house, ter bottom line, Occidental Oil im­ graduate beside me." patent still holds. Whirlpool lawyers go to college or start a business. posed a take back contract on its top are reportedly licking their chops. Open a savings account and get dog Ray Irani. His base wage was Them that has want - "Top ...•.•Ring matching funds of up to $500 a year, trimmed from $1.9 million to $1.2 directors ... boosted their remunera­ The program will end in four years. million, and he lost benefits, includ­ tion by an average of 16 percent last Mr. Big Nose -Are you "wast­ The coalition will then spend two ing a payment of $35 million if he year. New findings show that the pay ing time" on the job? Are you not following company rules? Are you belt type straps for chest, waist, and years analyzing the results to deter­ drops dead this year. In a gesture of of directors ... rise by more than five mine if they should spend more. appreciation for accepting the con­ times the rate of inflation ... and went failing to work fast enough? Are legs. Accessories include padding you trying to start or join a union? to adjust chair for juveniles. tract, Oxy gave him a one-time pay­ up four times faster than average Nothin's easy- Robert Fried­ ment of $95 million. earnings. - Guardian, London. A recent purvey indicated 63 per­ man, chairperson of the Corporation cent of U.S. companies are spying P.S. The manufacturer of that re­ for Enterprise Development, says Pragmatist- In New Zealand, GE finger caught in wringer - on their employees for answers to straint chair advises: "A couple of that savings program will be a chal- disclosure that up to five people with Two years ago, GE 1,mveiled a the above questions and many more. What were first steps after Bolshevik revolution? The selection below describes some of could as yet constitute only a minor part of the first steps taken by the Bolshevik-led the economic complex, it was expected that soviet government that came to power 80 they would increase as the farm equipment years ago in the October 1917 revolution and supplies necessary for collectivization in Russia. It is excerpted from the first were produced, and the example they set volume of Revolutionary Continuity: would contribute to ultimate peasant recog­ Marxist Leadership in the U.S. by Farrell nition of the advantages inherent in mecha­ Dobbs from the chapter titled, "First nized, socialist agriculture. Workers' State." The book is copyright High priority was also given to the exer­ © 1980 by the Anchor Foundation, Inc. cise of self-determination by oppressed na­ Reprinted with permission. Subheadings tionalities. This question involved a demo­ are by the Militant. cratic right, not a principle of socialist orga­ nization. These nations had been denied the elementary democratic right of self-govern­ ment by the Russian bourgeoisie after it took BOOK OF power in February 1917, and the violation could be corrected only under proletarian THE WEEK leadership .... Even a viable federated structure could BY FARRELL DOBBS exist, moreover, only through voluntary ac­ Soldiers, sailors, and workers listen to Bolshevik speech in Petrograd, March 1917. The welfare of the peasants and oppressed ceptance of fraternal association by the na­ nations was bound up with the fate of the tions involved; the right of self-determination could then be expropriated. responsible to the soviets, and subordinate unfolding of the socialist revolution. As con­ had to remain fully operative. For these rea­ Quick action was taken by the soviet to them on matters of planning and state crete action was taken to meet their needs, sons, the new Bolshevik-led government ex­ government to set this process into motion. policy. By means of this overall structural they could be induced to support broader tended freedom of choice to all nationalities. By official decree workers' control was es­ form, the workers in each factory could de­ measures required to safeguard these gains. They could either remain part of the Soviet tablished over all industrial, commercial, fend their immediate interests. Actions they To assure such an advance in fundamental Union with broad local autonomy, or peace­ banking, and agricultural enterprises em­ took could be coordinated with the general outlook, however, these sections of the popu­ fully secede from~ ~should they so desire. In ploying five or more people. Committees policies required for the given branch of lation had to be drawn into all aspects of the most cases they jo~ned the federation of so­ elected by the workers in these enterprises production, and all this could be done in a continuing struggle on an extensive scale viets. were authorized to keep a constant eye on way that served the broad objectives ofthe against the exploiters and conditions of life Concerning the situation in industry, company books, records, inventories, etc.; working class as a whole. they had created.... changes had already begun concurrent with ferret out secrets kept from them by the Disputes with individual employers were the reappearance of soviets when the tsar was bosses; and see that all operations were con­ handled by the factory committees. Where Distribution of land to poor peasants dethroned [in February 1917]. Organization ducted in the public interest. necessary they conducted strikes to enforce Landed estates were expropriated with of factory committees was initiated by the Factory committees of this kind consti­ their demands. It was no longer possible, government authority and parceled under Petrograd workers and gradually extended tuted the organizational nuclei for state though, for the bosses to retaliate by using management of the peasants themselves. elsewhere. These committees went beyond regulation of the industrial economy. They lockouts as a punitive weapon against the Primary responsibility for redistribution of actions to improve wages, hours, and job con­ became part of and subordinate to the trade workers. The capitalists could do no more such holdings was assigned to soviets of ditions. They also took measures to alleviate unions in the various branches of industry. than appeal their cases to higher workers' poor peasants, which were organized sepa­ shortages of goods and curb price gouging. The unions, while independent, were in tum bodies. rate and apart from units representing bet­ Factory owners were forced to open their ter-off peasants. All categories of small farm­ books for inspection by the workers. Capi­ ers were encouraged to help increase the talist profiteering was exposed. Supervision total agricultural output, and industrial aid was expanded step by step over factory op­ -25 AND 50 YEARS AGO-- was extended in the form of implements, erations and the distribution of products. fertilizer, etc., to help them do so. Dual power of an economic character be­ independent political action is necessary. While concentrating on the foregoing gan to develop, with neither the workers nor measures, a first step was taken toward de­ the bosses having total control. It was not THE MILITANT velopment of a transition from small-peas­ possible, though, to resolve this contradiction THE MILITANT ant farming to socialization of the land. in the workers' favor at the factory level. A PUaLfiHID IN THIINTialtTI OP THI WOaKINO PIOPLI Where feasible, model collective farms were political obstacle had to be removed. At ev­ October 27, 1972 NEW YORK, N.Y. FIVE (S) CENTS established and operated by soviets of agri­ ery turn the bourgeois Provisional Govern­ NEW YORK-Although the New York cultural laborers. Even though these units ment sided with the bosses. The compromis­ State legislature does not begin its next October 27, 1947 ers in the soviet leadership backed the gov­ session until January 1973, both sides in Large scale communal rioting in the ernment, and the workers found themselves the struggle over the N.Y. abortion law are Punjab has only slightly abated. A mass of stalemated. already preparing for battle. Hindu, Sikh, and Moslem refugees are on In the defense of the right to abortion, the move. What is the basis of the riots? the Women's National Abortion Action Revolutionary Workers' control of industry The problem of the Punjab must be clearly Although the October insurrection ended Coalition (WONAAC) is sponsoring hear­ separated from the rest of India. In dividing Continuity capitalist use of the government against the ings on abortion in New York and other India, British imperialism, supported by both Marxist Leader­ workers, it did not follow that they could cities during the next two weeks. Hindu and Moslem feudal-capitalists, paid ship in the achieve full economic supremacy in one New York State's law allows abortions no attention to the nationalists as such. Arti­ United States stroke. More was involved than the seizure up through the twenty-fourth week of preg­ ficially, the country was divided, severing nancy. Last spring antiabortion forces suc­ indigenous language groups into different Farrell Dobbs of capitalist industry by the soviet regime. For ceeded in forcing both the State Senate and provinces. This operation was calculated How successive this step to become practical, the workers first needed to gain experience in administering the State Assembly to pass a bill calling with the object of dividing the country in generations of for repeal of the liberalized law. Governor order to keep the imperialist stranglehold. fighters took part the national economy while most factories remained temporarily capitalist owned. Nelson Rockefeller's veto of the bill pre­ Thus, the Punjab, where Hindus, Moslems in the struggles of served the right to abortion temporarily. and Sikhs speak the same language with a the U.S. labor movement, seeking to To carry out the desired measures in the industrial sphere, Lenin explained, revolu­ The two largest women's groups, the unified economy, was divided into two prov­ build a leadership that could advance National Organization for Women (NOW) inces. Similarly the Bengal was partitioned, the class interests of workers and tionary democracy had to be applied so the masses could develop confidence in their own and the Women's Political Caucus, had and the whole scheme was put into opera­ small farmers and link up with fellow thrown their energies into primary cam­ tion without voting of any kind. toilers around the world. 2 vols. strength. In addition to their other functions, the trade unions had to become schools for paigns and did not mobilize their member­ In Bombay, sporadic riots admittedly en­ •:•The Early Years, 1848-1917 and managing the economy. The workers had to ships to march on May 6. Some leaders in gineered by the "Goondas" (contemptuous •:•Birth of the Communist be schooled in the art of administration in the women's movement, such as Betty term for declassed elements) have been tak­ Movement, 1818-1922$16.95 each handling overall management of production Friedan, later expressed the belief that cam­ ing place since September, 1946. The city and distribution. Toward that end their con­ paigning for legislators who "vote right" is has had periods of curfew and under section Available from bookstores, including those listed the best way to win legal abortion. 144 of the Indian Criminal Code, proces­ on page 12, or write Pathfinder, 410 West St., New trol over the bosses had to be extended at once to every facet of industry and trade. Knowl­ Since then, the rejection of abortion sions and demonstrations are banned. A York, NY 10014. Tel: (212) 741-0690. Fax: (212) 727- rights planks at both the Democratic and 0150. When ordering by mail, please include $3 to edge acquired through such activities would Goonda Act has been passed with powers cover shipping and handling. prepare them to administer the whole eco­ Republican conventions has helped con­ to extern and imprison people responsible nomic structure, and all capitalist enterprises vince a number of abortion activists that for riots. October 27, 1997 The Militant 13 -EDITORIALS------'Militant' was Support the Amtrak workers never neutral The entire labor movement needs to get behind the 2,300 service which could cripple Amtrak operations." In other Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE) words, outlaw any strike action. onNAFTA members who are preparing for a possible strike against In fact the Clinton administration has already intervened In his letter to the editor in last week's Militant, Roger Amtrak. The workers who build and maintain the tracks, in the dispute, invoking the Railway Labor Act August Annis takes issue with the column I wrote on imperialist buildings, bridges, and electrical systems for the national 21 to prohibit the BMWE from striking for 60 days and trade pacts that appeared in the August 25 issue. passenger railway have gone two years without a general impose a "presidential emergency board." Such govern­ He argues that I failed to set the record straight on the pay raise - an experience all too familiar to workers in ment-appointed bodies are not neutral. Aside from a small Militant's coverage of pacts such as the General Agree­ · many industries. Their demand is that Amtrak agree to wage raise, this board proposed sending all other issues to ment on Trade and Tariffs (GATT), Canada-U.S. Free wages and other contract terms on par with those reached binding arbitration - which is the bosses' terrain. Trade Agreement, and the North American Free Trade last year between the BMWE and other major railroads. A strong show of working-class solidarity for the Agreement (NAFTA). The Militant's stance, Annis con­ As a number of workers and even some union officials BMWE members is needed to win broader support for the tends, was "neutral." The paper, he says, "argued why point out, it's not the union's concern how the company rail workers' fight and counter the calculated hysteria workers should reject any opposition to these pacts that will resolve its alleged operating deficit. That's the bosses' Whitman and other cheerleaders of the employers are pro­ would be based on a nationalist, pro-capitalist attitude. and the government's problem. moting as the strike deadline approaches. At the same time, But it stopped short of arguing that workers should op­ In response to this just fight, the rail barons and other the labor movement needs to demand that Washington keep pose these pacts and along what lines." capitalists are already trying to whip up panic among its hands off the union, vigorously opposing the use of middle-class commuters and others over the possibility any antistrike legislation. of a rail strike. With dire warnings about chaos along We urge our readers to get out to rail yards leading up Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, New Jersey governor Chris­ to the October 22 deadline, to offer solidarity to the BMWE DISCUSSION WITH tine Whitman has been publicly urging the White House workers, learn about their fight, and bring the facts and and Congress to take "extra steps to resolve the situation." lessons of other working-class struggles reported in the OUR READERS This echoes Amtrak management's appeal to Congress to Militant and recorded in Pathfinder books to rail workers "prepare to take appropriate action to avoid disruption of who are preparing to resist Amtrak's austerity demands. I don't intend to defend every jot and tittle the Militant has ever written on this in the 69 years it has been pub­ lished, or dispute whether there have been articles that weren't totally clear. But I disagree that the general orien­ All U.S. troops out of Korea! tation of the Militant on imperialist trade deals has been neutral. That would be an unpardonable departure from The U.S. State Department recently announced it was in face of the continued provocations by U.S. imperial­ 150 years' experience of the working-class vanguard since donating $5 million to the United Nations supposedly to ism and its backers in Seoul. The recent war games car­ Karl Marx and Frederick Engels first got involved in the provide medicines and other supplies to north Korea. This ried out by Washington in collusion with south Korean workers' movement and began writing on this question. paltry sum is another slap in the face to the Democratic forces underline the importance of the demand by the Even the three articles Annis cites to make his case re­ People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and adds to government of the Democratic People's Republic of Ko­ fute him. For example, the Dec. 12, 1994, editorial points Washington's ongoing campaign of provocations against rea that any genuine peace must include the withdrawal out that GATT will greatly benefit "a majority ofthe U.S. this workers state. In early October, U.S. troops conducted of all foreign troops from the Korean peninsula. employing class." It punctured the myth propagated by maneuvers along with south Korean forces near Seoul, This month we also celebrate the 80th anniversary of the ruling rich that GATT would solve unemployment and specifically aimed at the DPRK. And on September 23 the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, the world's first so­ other evils facing working people. It further argued that U.S. secretary of defense William Cohen announced an cialist revolution, and the 30th anniversary of the fall in President Clinton "promoted the deal as a great 'liberal­ agreement stating that Tokyo would provide support for combat of Ernesto Che Guevara, who set an example of ization' of world trade. But like all trade agreements it U.S. military operations in the event of a military con­ proletarian internationalism as part of the central leader­ contains a multitude of protectionist measures and con­ frontation in the region. ship of the Cuban revolution. All these anniversaries are tains the seeds of future trade wars between Washington Washington has refused to accept negotiations with the rich in lessons for what toilers the world over will be able and its competitors in Europe and Asia." DPRK that would include discussions on withdrawing to accomplish once again in fighting imperialist domina­ Following this denouncement of the GATT agreement, 37,000 U.S. troops from south Korea, lifting economic tion and capitalist exploitation as we enter the twenty­ theMilitanteditors sharply criticized both the ultra-right­ sanctions, and sending a million tons of food aid to north first century. ist and liberal opposition to GATT, both of which were Korea. The negotiations would conceivably establish a The Korean people's refusal to bend their knees in the "draped in the same nationalist cloth." formal end to 1950 - 52 Korean War. Below are greetings fight for national reunificlation and sovereignty is an inte­ The other two pieces Annis refers to make similar points. to the Workers Party of Korea by Socialist Workers Party gral part of this worldwide resistance. We pledge to con­ I would also refer Annis and other readers to two ar­ national secretary Jack Barnes on October 8, expressing tinue to tell the truth about your struggle, to demand that ticles that appeared in the September 27 and October 4, support for the Korean people's refusal to submit to the all U.S. troops and weapons get out of Korea, to demand 1991, Militant. Both were later reprinted as the final two dictates of the Clinton administration. unconditional food aid, and to work with all those fight­ parts of the Pathfinder pamphlet Farmers Face the Crisis ing to advance the world struggle for national liberation of the 1990s. The first article focused on why workers and socialism. and working farmers should reject the ruling class' "free The National Committee of the Socialist Workers Party sends communist greetings on the occasion of the 52nd Comradely, trade" campaigns and pacts. The second centered on what's wrong with the rulers efforts to construct a "protectionist anniversary of the founding of the Workers Party of Ko­ Jack Barnes fortress" and the treachery of labor officials and farm lead­ rea. National Secretary ers joining this campaign. Articles by Marx and Engels The Socialist Workers Party supports the Korean people Socialist Workers Party were quoted to help ground the arguments on trade in the continuity of the revolutionary workers movement. The conclusion of the 1991 articles: "Neither capitalist pro­ tectionism nor free trade offers a solution to the price-cost squeeze facing the big majority of working farmers. More­ over, both perspectives draw working farmers into tying Socialism is creation of new man their fate to either 'free trade' capitalists or the 'protec­ Continued from Page 8 have in Cuba, while avoiding concessions of principle in tionist capitalists -all in the name of defending 'Ameri­ and economic situation of the country at that time. But the management of the economy that could bring disas­ can' interests." Had there been representatives of the work­ Lenin died almost immediately, and his successors did trous consequences to our revolutionary process, as hap­ ing class in Congress when GATT, NAFTA, or any other not make a correction in time. Che felt that introducing pened in the former Soviet Union. trade pact came before the body for ratification, what con­ capitalist categories in socialist countries threw them off There are concepts in Che 's body of ideas that can and clusion would they have drawn from the Militant articles course, with all the consequences this brought for the for­ must be applied at the present time, and others that should referred to here as well as many other similar pieces? mation of the new man and for society as a whole, includ­ be adapted to current conditions, which are very different Would they think they should abstain and not vote on the ing its effects on the system's superstructure. They did than those existing then. And I believe Fidel is doing this: proposed trade deal? Or would they cast their votes against not promote the search for economic mechanisms appro­ making indispensable changes to survive, because it would it? It seems to me that theMilitant' s stance would clearly priate to socialism, and arrived at a dead end, which would be absurd not to make them, but with no concessions of indicate taking the latter course. produce a return to capitalism. That was Che's assess­ principle that would lead us toward reversing the progress There's no question that the preponderance of the ment. we've obtained and the values we've achieved in devel­ Militant's coverage has been to explain what was wrong oping a higher form of society. with the chauvinist campaign conducted by the labor offi­ Q: Where did he say this? cialdom in opposition to NAFTA and other such trade A: In a still-unpublished manuscript he sent me attached Q: In light of everything that has happened in recent accords. This is where the greatest confusion is to be found to a letter, at the end of 1965, after the campaign in the years, does history have any debt to Che? among workers and working farmers. It's where there is Congo ended. In that analysis Che stated the following: A: If not a debt, then a certain commitment, a commit­ the most pressure to get caught up in supporting one wing "The changes produced by the New Economic Policy, ment that implies concrete actions by all sensible and of the capitalist rulers and their politicians. the NEP, have penetrated so deeply into the life of the honest persons in the world to appropriate the most valu­ Part of explaining the need for the working class to chart Soviet Union that they have left their mark on this entire able parts of his historical legacy. In turning himself into a course independent of the capitalist parties and present stage, and the results are discouraging. The capitalist su­ a model of the new man owing to his ideas and excep­ its own alternatives to the deepening crisis of capitalism perstructure has influenced, in a sharper and sharper way, tional qualities, Che represented an essential point in the requires refuting in detail the erroneous course of attempt­ the relations of production, and the conflicts provoked by progress of humanity, in the search for a higher form of ing to protect "American jobs." This also means taking the hybrid that the NEP was, are being resolved today in life for human beings. on progressives, including some who call themselves so­ favor of the superstructure. There is a regression toward cialist, who argue that class-conscious and revolutionary­ capitalism." Q: And does Che have any debt to history? minded workers should become the left-wing, the inter­ Q: Even so, other experiences accept a larger role for A: Che would have to respond to this. But if I am asked, nationalist voice of the opposition movement to NAFTA the market in the socialist economy. How would Che view I believe that Che was a man who was never satisfied, and other accords. what is happening in Cuba,for example? who always considered his contributions to be small. His Admittedly, it is a challenge to oppose imperialist trade A: The current moment is very different from the one plans and ideas were so ambitious and creative that I imag­ deals from the framework of projecting an independent, we are analyzing in relation to the polemic on models of ine he would feel a debt to history. Perhaps what would working-class political course and not get sucked into or economic management in socialism. How do I picture pain him most would be to not have continued in other tail end the labor officials' nationalist campaign. Rather Che? I picture him studying and obtaining a deeper theo­ countries the job he began in Cuba and left as an extraor­ than tackling this task with the vigor and thoroughness retical understanding, doing a careful analysis of the phe­ dinary heritage. He would feel it his debt, perhaps, not required, it may be easier to take refuge in the notion that nomenon of globalization and all these backward ideas having seen the development of a new man on a broader the trade pacts are of no concern to workers and argue for of neoliberalism. I picture him trying to give a practical scale, on a world scale, or at least, in Latin America. That neutrality. This, however, is not the course the Militant solution to the extraordinary shortages and difficulties we was his dream. has followed. -DOUG JENNESS 14 The Militant October 27, 1997 Maritime workers score a victory in Australia This column is devoted to re­ Sydney in 2000 with union labor. It community, and fax to union offices porting the resistance by work­ was reported September 22 that and other supporters around the ing people to the employers' as­ OOCL had reached a deal with the country. Strikers have been on sault on their living standards, NSW state government and the union-organized speaking tours to working conditions, and unions. MUA. the central North Island, where the We invite you to contribute The federal government has an- biggest forests and processing plants are located. These efforts to reach out have ON THE PICKET LINE won the strikers wide support. As well as support from throughout the WIU, solidarity has been received short items to this column as a nounced that it will pursue attempts from the Watersiders Union and way for other fighting workers to break the MUA, by directing that unions in Japan. Workers at the big around the world to read about nonunion labor be used by Defence Glenbrook steel mill in Auckland and learn from these important Maritime Services in its new con­ heard a report on the JNL strike at struggles. Jot down a few lines tract servicing the Australian navy. their regular union meeting, and about what is happening in your made donations from union funds, union, at your workplace, or as well as taking an additional col­ other workplaces in your area, Board mill strikers win lection at the meeting. Supporters Workers in Cairns, Australia, celebrate win against union busting. including interesting political dis­ support in New Zealand groups in Whangarei and Auckland cussions. KAITAIA, New Zealand- At have collected and sent food, and workers of America who work at Under the old contract, new em­ the end of September, as they be­ some local farmers have donated Pepsi-Cola in Miami came to the ployees received between $14.42 SYDNEY, Australia- The gan their sixth week on strike, 88 beasts to feed the strikers. Leaders rally to let people know that the and $22.02. Maritime Union of Australia percent of the 195 workers at the of local Maori tribal groups have president and vice president of their According to the U AW contract (MUA) won a significant victory on Juken Nissho Limited (JNL) board been invited to meetings with the local had been fired by the com­ summary, the wage scale of the new the Cairns docks in north mill here voted in favor of continu­ strikers, and have offered support. pany. Organizers of the rally at hires will increase by one percent Queensland September 18, when ing their fight. The Juken Nissho Medi-Transportation called for the for each year of service. A new International Purveyors Inc. (IPI) Triboard mill is the biggest em­ UNITE members fight demonstrators to tum out at Pepsi employee hired in at the lowest pay backed down from using nonunion ployer in this small town in the far October 9 to support their fight. level will start at $10.46 an hour. labor to load the Java Sea, a ship north of New Zealand. It processes for contract in Miami After five years of service, this base bound for the Freeport mine in In­ timber from local forests into a MIAMI -As "What do we pay will have risen to $10.99. donesia. All 27 workers at North­ high-quality particle board. Most of want?" resounded from a bullhorn Concession contract With the new contract in hand, ern Shipping and Stevedoring Ser­ the workers belong to the Wood the 75 pickets outside Medi-Trans­ passes at Deere & Co. Deere has begun hiring new work­ vices, which runs the Cairns port Industries Union (WIU), but mem­ portation chanted back "Contract." CHICAGO- United Auto ers at the lower pay scale. At the and held the contract for loading bers of the Engineers Union and Cheers went up when a UPS driver Workers (UAW) officials an­ UAW Local450 ratification vote in Freeport vessels, were fired Sep­ Northern Distribution Union are honked his hom and waved. nounced October 6 that union mem­ Ankeny, Iowa, a worker with 37 tember 12. Three days later, IPI also on strike. Amed Santana, a 24-year-old re­ bers had ratified a new contract with years' seniority at Deere told the took over the contract with plans to The strike is in response to the cent immigrant from Cuba, had the agricultural and construction Militant, "They just want to get rid use nonunion labor to load ships. company's demands for cuts in the worked at Medi-Transportation for equipment manufacturer Deere & of us older workers and hire young MUA members from Sydney, contract conditions, including are­ a year and a half before being fired Co. by more than a 74 percent ma­ workers for a lot less pay." Brisbane, and Townsville traveled duction in overtime rates from time­ six months ago for union organiz­ jority. The six-year agreement cov­ Outside Local 838's ratification to Cairns to join picket lines of and-a-half and double time down to ing. He said several months ago 18 ers some 9,000 members of 11 meeting, Tom Swale, a worker at the around 60 unionists at the Cairns a maximum time-and-a-quarter. of the 24 drivers at Medi-Transpor­ UAW locals in six states. Tractor Assembly plant in Water­ wharf and outside IPI. Crucial sup­ Service allowances and annual tation had voted for the Union of Over the course of the contract, loo, Iowa, said, "Since the last con­ port came from the International leave would also be slashed in the Needletrades, Industrial and Textile current Deere employees will re­ tract I have worked 9 - 10 hours Transport Workers Federation, the company's plan. Employees (UNITE) in a union rep­ ceive six lump-sum payments in lieu every day, and turned down Satur­ international umbrella organization, Keith Shadbolt, a worker from resentation election; four voted of raises. These payments, equal to day work. You only work an eight­ which had affiliate members on the plant who chairs the strikers' against. Since then the company has three percent of an employee's in­ hour day if they run out of parts. board the Freeport vessel,Java Sea, welfare and finance committees, refused to seriously negotiate a con­ come, will not be rolled into the Now, the starting wage for new hires and threatened IPI with placing a told the Militant, "We are rostered tract and not only fired Santana but base pay rate. is like when I started in the 1960s." ban on the vessel entering the port. on the picketline in 12-hour shifts. some of the other drivers who were The contract also establishes a The Sydney Morning Herald la­ We also have three all-up meetings involved in the union organizing. second tier, with deep concessions Marnie Kennedy in Sydney; James mented the union's win, with a per week, to which families' of the Angel Dominguez from UNITE in pay and benefits for all newly Robb, a member of the Meat Work­ front-page headline: "Round one to workers are invited. We have com­ told a rally following the picket that hired employees. The second-tier ers Union in Auckland, New unions," accompanied by photos of mittees to deal with food collection, after the union election victory the workers will never achieve parity Zealand; Ernie Mailhot, a member celebrating unionists. finding casual work for strikers, company hardly talked to the union. with the wages and benefits of the of the International Association of In another blow to the federal publicity, a women's committee, In the last week, however, since ac­ current Deere employees. Accord­ Machinists in Miami; and Cappy government, Orient Overseas Con­ and so on." The strike committee tions like picket line began,. the ing to the company, beginning em­ Kidd, member ofUnited Auto Work­ tainer Line (OOCL) will be open­ issues a news bulletin, of which they company had called several times. ployees will receive base pay rang­ ers Local890 in Chicago, contrib­ ing its new container terminal in distribute 2,500 copies in the local Members of the United Steel- ing from $10.47 - $17 an hour. uted to this week's column.

-LETTERS------~~------

Write more on Scotland tant part of how communists today PEB 's decision, the short fall of After considering the Militant's. relate to critical struggles of this funds would require shutting the coverage of the vote on devolution kind. company down. What, I asked, was in Scotland (September 22 and 29 Pete Seidman the likelihood of a strike? To a man issues), it seems to me that perhaps Philadelphia, Pennsylvania they agreed that if the company re­ there is a contradiction in the Com­ fuses to abide by the board's deci­ munist League's (CL) position in sion they will vote to strike. Sev­ that election. I was hoping that the Rail workers' fight eral workers expressed doubts that Militant might consider developing I spent an hour today talking with the union leadership will actually a discussion on this very important a group of Amtrak track workers at call the strike. point. My question regards the CL's Sunnyside rail yard in Queens, New A common theme runs through position that it is "in favor of a Scot­ York. They have been working our conversation, the company has tish parliament, although not in fa­ without a contract since 1995. Their money for new trucks, cell phones, vor of granting it the right to tax union, the Brotherhood of Mainte­ pagers and whatnot but no money workers even more." nance and Way Employees for a pay raise for the workers. And The September 11 vote chal­ (BMWE), will be free to legally work they do at times up to 16 hours lenged revolutionaries to figure out strike Amtrak on October 22. straight in all kinds of weather, on what position would advance, as the On August 21 of this year Presi­ bridges and mainline tracks tra­ CL explained, "working-class dent William Clinton ordered a versed by 125 mph metroliners unity ... through the self-determina­ Presidential Emergency Board where a misstep gets you killed in tion of all oppressed nationalities." (PEB) to forestall an impending the blink of an eye. But given the relationship of clearer will be part of the engine that developments in the struggle for strike by the BMWE, as all attempts To a man they agree on one thing; forces and the actual conditions of fuels the development of a socialist national liberation. For example, no at coming to a contract agreement they must have the full support of the class struggle today, a Scottish wing among fighters for Scottish one opposed the right of the new had been exhausted. The board's the other unions here at Amtrak if a parliament coming out of this elec­ self-determination. South African government emerg­ findings, however, are not bind­ strike is to be effective and in this tion would be a bourgeois parlia­ Does not the CL's position put a ing from the struggle to overthrow ing -and wonder of wonders it respect I totally agree. The recent ment. Are revolutionary workers for barrier to joining them in their cur­ apartheid the right to tax. Of course favored labor. The PEB ruled in fa­ outcome of the United Parcel strike this or against? Clearly, we should rent struggle? While there was a ten the question of how taxes would be vor of wage increases of 3.5 per­ has shown workers that strikes can be for it, even if the new govern­ percent discrepancy between those formulated constituted a new battle­ cent per year over the course of the be won and gains made with unity. ment is not socialist. Why? Again, voting for devolution and those vot­ ground within the national demo­ contract, recommending a signing Jeff Payne, as the CL explained, because devo­ ing to empower the new parliament cratic revolution. In another case, bonus and retroactive pay. The men New York, New York lution advances "the break -up ofthe with taxation, it seems that the big the Zionist state of Israel seeks to I spoke with were pleased with the institutions of the imperialist state." majority of people in Scotland did leave the Palestine National Author­ board's decision in every aspect. It So, if this is true, why would the not make this distinction. Shouldn't ity crippled by strictly controlling was their opinion that given the high CL also take the position that it is we keep our eyes on how they view the flow of tax revenues. cost of living in the Northeast, the The letters column is an open "not in favor of granting [a Scottish the fight right now? Isn't that the Perhaps there are some differ­ terms proposed would give them forum for all viewpoints on sub­ parliament] the right to tax workers best position from which to make ences in the case of the devolution some degree of parity with fellow jects of general interest to our even more?" If there is to be a real our deeper points on where the referendum in Scotland that make workers employed by other rail­ readers. Please keep your letters parliament, it will have the power struggle must go to succeed? it hard for a distant observer to un­ roads within the region. brief. Where necessary they will to tax. Along with many other as­ To do otherwise, it seems to me, derstand the CL's point. But I would Unfortunately Amtrak President be abridged. Please indicate if pects of a bourgeois state, the class would be to contradict the stance the appreciate some more discussion on Thomas Downs felt differently, stat­ you prefer that your initials be inequalities that become clearer and Militant has taken towards other this as it seems to be a very impor- ing that if Amtrak was bound by the used rather than your full name. October 27, 1997 The Militant 15 THE MiliTANT Worker's death fuels·outrage over cuts in New Zealand health system BY AGNES SULLIVAN tine surgery." Heart patients "can expect the National Health Committee, suggests in hospital. Some 2,000 people also rallied in AND PATRICK BROWN heart damage and shortened life .... There a recent report that "patient charges could nearby Tauranga, and a protest meeting was AUCKLAND, New Zealand- "He was will be no coronary artery bypass grafts, be increased to pay for more health care." organized in the South Island city of Nelson. drowned by three top judges and two clini­ valve replacements, or congenital heart sur~ The committee also asks, "When should we In September, Southern Health announced cians. He drowned internally, that's how he gery.... People who would have benefited desist with publicly-funded interventions plans to stop providing services to the dis­ died." Said Jim Shortland as he described from surgery for limb complications face that add to pain and suffering, and prepare trict of Gore. A march to protest the deci­ the death of his uncle, Rau Williams, of kid-· amputations .... There will be a reduction in instead for a peaceful or 'good' death? sion is planned in Invercargill in October. ney failure in the early hours of Saturday, dialysis treatment." · Indignation over proposed cuts to public October 11. Shortland had helped lead a As reported in the Herald, the report More for-profit medicine health services in Otago drew 7,000 people fight to have his uncle's "death sentence" - warns Health Minister English "that it is Amid the controversy, government min­ to a September 19 protest march in the the refusal by health authorities to give him pointless relying on private services to fill isters have been urging a greater role for ' southern city of Dunedin, in one of the larg­ lifesaving treatment - lifted. The struggle, the gap in services, because a high propor­ private, profit-making medical ventures. est protests seen in the city in years. The covered day-by-day in the media, proceeded tion.of children and elderly on waiting lists Prime Minister James Bolger used a speech demonstration was organized by the Public alongside a series of protests around the are from lower-income families." at the opening of a new $25 million clinic Service Association, the chief union among country against health cutbacks. The private bealth sector, however, is still in South Auckland on October 8 to declare public employees, and the Nurses' Williams died after he was taken off di­ in its relative infancy in this country. After that "we must stop the nonsense that seeks Organisation, the main nurses' union. In alysis treatment- which cleans the blood Williams was refused dialysis, information to portray public health care as good and Auckland, the Nurses' Organisation sched­ of impurities - on September 17; by deci­ emerged that this treatment is available only private health care as wrong." uled a strike ballot later in October. Con­ sion of doctors working for Northland in public facilities. Around the country, wait­ The chairman of the major private health tract talks broke down after Auckland Health, the government-appointed body re­ ing lists have lengthened in the face of in­ provider in New Zealand, the Southern Healthcare refused base~rate pay rises. sponsible for the provision of health services adequate funds for surgery. Heath Minister Cross health insurance company, Hylton Le Management's stance falls in line with a in the north of the country. Northland English plans to implement a booking sys­ Grice, told the company's annual general government letter ordering hospitals to Health's decision was backed by the High tem in July next year to reduce the queues, meeting on October 9 that the public health freeze pay unless they can shed staff or slash Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Human calling this the "most honest" rationing the system would in the future be limited to wages elsewhere. Rights Commission, each of which turned country has seen. Points will be awarded to emergency services and major, expensive, Meanwhile, Shortland said that down Williams's appeals. patients on the basis of "clinical and social or vital surgery. Southern Cross raised pre­ Williams's medical file sh<,>uld be open to. Northland Health insisted that "clinical criteria," according to an article in the Oc­ miums an average 12 percent a year over the public, and vowed to help others caught reasons" lay behind its decision; citing his tober 12. Sunday Star Titnes. the past three years. in the same predicament as his uncle. "If "mild dementia," and claiming that Will­ The government has also recently an­ More than 5,000 people protested in you're denied dialysis contact me," he said. iams did not fit the medical criteria for ei­ nounced a "get-tough plan" to cut drug Whakatane on October 2 against a proposal "I'm pretty much sure we'll come to your ther home or hospital dialysis. Martin Searle, spending. The government advisory body, to stop non-urgent surgery at the Whakatane aid- no one has the right to deny life." the head of Middlemore Hospital's renal service, said the guidelines were set because of limits on government funding. ~ Williams, aged 64, was Maori and a Thousands of teachers, youth protest former freezing worker (meatpacker). His kidney failure was associated with diabe­ tes, from which Maori suffer at five times attacks on education in Ontario. the rate of non-Maori. So far this year "Whangarei Hospital has assessed 10 pa­ BY MICK O'DONNELL dents lined the road out­ tients as unsuitable for its end-stage kidney TORONTO- Under the side the school chanting failure treatment, with most of them Maori," slogan, "We won't back "we won't back down," to according to the Christchurch Press. With down," tens of thousands of protest Bill 160. "Our continued dialysis treatment Williams was Ontario's 126,000 elemen­ math class has 45 people expected to live several more years. tary and secondary school in a portable" classroom After the Life Care Trust offered a dialy­ teachers have taken part in trailer, Woburn student sis machine to treat Williams, an Au.stralian rallies and demonstrations to Tom Papuckoski, 16, said. renal specialist flew to New Zealand to ex­ force the Ontario govern­ "Teachers can't get to you amine him to assess his suitability. ment · to withdraw Bill if you want to ask a ques­ Whangarei hospital refused the doctor ac­ 160 - legislation that cuts tion." cess. Around 200 people marched in public education, would re­ Bill160 would transfer Whangarei on October 3 supporting sult in the layoff of up to decisions over class size, Williams's rigl:tt to treatment. Williams him­ 10,000 teachers, and slashes and curriculum from the self took part in his wheelchair. The som­ $1 billion out of the $14 bil­ teachers' unions and ber mood of the protest was punctuated by lion provincial education school boards to the pro­ chants in the Maori language. budget. At the same time, vincial government; slash In the wake of the widely expressed out­ high school studen~ around class preparation time for rage at Northland Health's, two members of the province have been teachers, and increase the parliament in the National Party/New walking out of school in number of days students Zealand First coalition government, Maori demonstrationsofsu~portto and teachers spend in class Affairs Minister Tau Henare of New Zealand the teachers and against Bill per year. It would also al­ First and John Banks of the National Party, 160. low the use of non-certi­ felt compelled to protest the decision. The The Ontario Teachers' fied instructors in some National Party Minister of Health, William Federation, the umbrella or­ subjects. Similar teachers' English, backed Northern Health, as did ganization for the five teach­ struggles are taking place Labour Party leader Helen Clark. ers' unions, has vowed to across the country. In early shut the province's 5,169 October about 14,000 Impact of cuts in health service schools attended by over 2 teachers demonstrated Hospital care in New Zealand has tradi­ million students in an "ille­ outside the provincial leg­ tionally been provided through a public gal" strike if the government islature in Alberta de­ health system, and has been free. Since the doe sri 't back down. The manding more money for 1970s, however, government pressure to re­ teachers' mobilization, education. duce health spending has led to a deteriora­ backed by the labor movement as a whole, workers, provincial government workers, In Ontario, the teachers' struggle comes tion in the service. Major steps to cut hospi­ has put the government on the defensive. steelworkers, and others were at the rally. on the heels of a victory by the labor move­ tal budgets were taken in 1983. Eight years Education Minister John Snobelen, who has Representatives of the Liberal and union­ ment against Bill 136. Demonstrations and later the National Party government took earned the hatred of teachers, shifted to a based New Democratic Party also attended. one-day protest strikes organized in "Days further steps towards a competitive, market-J new cabinet portfolio. "The government wants to take away our of Action" over the past year forced the gov­ oriented health system. A Ministry of Health On October 6, some 24,000 teachers and right to strike," said Bob Waters, a teacher ernment to drop antistrike provisions for report written last December stated that real their supporters filled every seat in Maple at Humber Collegiate Institute. "They want government and hospital workers. health spending had fallen 10 percent since Leaf Gardens here, while 4,000 more who a total say over teaching conditions and what The next Day of Action against the aus­ 1988-89. could not get in took over the street in front gets taught. It's an extreme attack against terity drive of the Conservative provincial On October 11 the New Zealand Herald of the ice-hockey arena. That same night democratic rights." Waters is a veteran of government will be in the auto· assembly published a summary of a confidential re­ . 7,000 rallied in Peterborough, and the fol­ the 1975 strike of secondary school teach­ center of Winsdor October 17. port by doctors at Waikato Hospital on the lowing night another 8,000 in Hamilton. The ers that forged the Ontario Secondary School It takes place in the context of the count~ impact of the level offunding available to teachers sang and waved placards and flags, Teachers Federation as a union. · down towards a possible teachers' strike, hospitals in the Waikato region from 1997 listening to speeches from various union "We can't vote, but we can make our­ discussion by hospital workers who are to 1999. officials. Canadian Labor Congress presi­ selves heard bysupporting our teachers," members of the Canadian Union of Public "Hospital funding cuts will result in early dent Robert White got a standing ovation said Robin Bryce, 15. Bryce was among the Employees over whether to strike against death, blindness, deafness, undiagnosed can­ after pledging the support of the CLC's 2.3 students who· walked out of the West End hospital closures, and an impending national cer ... " stated the summary. "[F]uture pa­ million members to the fight. Alternative school to attend the rally. strike by the Canadian Union of Postal tients will be denied semi~urgent and rou- Construction workers, nurses, hospital At Woburn Collegiate institute 300 stu- Workers.

16 The Militant October 27, 1997